Proverbs 17:2

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

A servant who acts wisely will rule over an heir who behaves shamefully, and will share the inheritance along with the relatives.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Prov 10:5 : 5 The one who gathers crops in the summer is a wise son, but the one who sleeps during harvest is a shameful son.
  • Prov 19:26 : 26 The one who robs his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
  • Eccl 4:13 : 13 Labor Motivated by Prestige-Seeking A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.
  • Gen 24:4-9 : 4 You must go instead to my country and to my relatives to find a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant asked him,“What if the woman is not willing to come back with me to this land? Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 “Be careful never to take my son back there!” Abraham told him. 7 “The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and the land of my relatives, promised me with a solemn oath,‘To your descendants I will give this land.’ He will send his angel before you so that you may find a wife for my son from there. 8 But if the woman is not willing to come back with you, you will be free from this oath of mine. But you must not take my son back there!” 9 So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and gave his solemn promise he would carry out his wishes. 10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all kinds of gifts from his master at his disposal. He journeyed to the region of Aram Naharaim and the city of Nahor. 11 He made the camels kneel down by the well outside the city. It was evening, the time when the women would go out to draw water. 12 He prayed,“O LORD, God of my master Abraham, guide me today. Be faithful to my master Abraham. 13 Here I am, standing by the spring, and the daughters of the people who live in the town are coming out to draw water. 14 I will say to a young woman,‘Please lower your jar so I may drink.’ May the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac reply,‘Drink, and I’ll give your camels water too.’ In this way I will know that you have been faithful to my master.” 15 Before he had finished praying, there came Rebekah with her water jug on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah(Milcah was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor). 16 Now the young woman was very beautiful. She was a virgin; no man had ever been physically intimate with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jug, and came back up. 17 Abraham’s servant ran to meet her and said,“Please give me a sip of water from your jug.” 18 “Drink, my lord,” she replied, and quickly lowering her jug to her hands, she gave him a drink. 19 When she had done so, she said,“I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have drunk as much as they want.” 20 She quickly emptied her jug into the watering trough and ran back to the well to draw more water until she had drawn enough for all his camels. 21 Silently the man watched her with interest to determine if the LORD had made his journey successful or not. 22 After the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold wrist bracelets weighing ten shekels and gave them to her. 23 “Whose daughter are you?” he asked.“Tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She said to him,“I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom Milcah bore to Nahor. 25 We have plenty of straw and feed,” she added,“and room for you to spend the night.” 26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD, 27 saying“Praised be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his faithful love for my master! The LORD has led me to the house of my master’s relatives!” 28 The young woman ran and told her mother’s household all about these things. 29 (Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban.) Laban rushed out to meet the man at the spring. 30 When he saw the bracelets on his sister’s wrists and the nose ring and heard his sister Rebekah say,“This is what the man said to me,” he went out to meet the man. There he was, standing by the camels near the spring. 31 Laban said to him,“Come, you who are blessed by the LORD! Why are you standing out here when I have prepared the house and a place for the camels?” 32 So Abraham’s servant went to the house and unloaded the camels. Straw and feed were given to the camels, and water was provided so that he and the men who were with him could wash their feet. 33 When food was served, he said,“I will not eat until I have said what I want to say.”“Tell us,” Laban said. 34 “I am the servant of Abraham,” he began. 35 “The LORD has richly blessed my master and he has become very wealthy. The Lord has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. 36 My master’s wife Sarah bore a son to him when she was old, and my master has given him everything he owns. 37 My master made me swear an oath. He said,‘You must not acquire a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 38 but you must go to the family of my father and to my relatives to find a wife for my son.’ 39 But I said to my master,‘What if the woman does not want to go with me?’ 40 He answered,‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you. He will make your journey a success and you will find a wife for my son from among my relatives, from my father’s family. 41 You will be free from your oath if you go to my relatives and they will not give her to you. Then you will be free from your oath.’ 42 When I came to the spring today, I prayed,‘O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if you have decided to make my journey successful, may events unfold as follows: 43 Here I am, standing by the spring. When the young woman goes out to draw water, I’ll say,“Please give me a little water to drink from your jug.” 44 Then she will reply to me,“Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too.” May that woman be the one whom the LORD has chosen for my master’s son.’ 45 “Before I finished praying in my heart, along came Rebekah with her water jug on her shoulder! She went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her,‘Please give me a drink.’ 46 She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said,‘Drink, and I’ll give your camels water too.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels water. 47 Then I asked her,‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied,‘The daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to Nahor.’ I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. 48 Then I bowed down and worshiped the LORD. I praised the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right path to find the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. 49 Now, if you will show faithful love to my master, tell me. But if not, tell me as well, so that I may go on my way.” 50 Then Laban and Bethuel replied,“This is the LORD’s doing. Our wishes are of no concern. 51 Rebekah stands here before you. Take her and go so that she may become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decided.” 52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. 53 Then he brought out gold, silver jewelry, and clothing and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave valuable gifts to her brother and to her mother. 54 After this, he and the men who were with him ate a meal and stayed there overnight. When they got up in the morning, he said,“Let me leave now so I can return to my master.” 55 But Rebekah’s brother and her mother replied,“Let the girl stay with us a few more days, perhaps ten. Then she can go.” 56 But he said to them,“Don’t detain me– the LORD has granted me success on my journey. Let me leave now so I may return to my master.” 57 Then they said,“We’ll call the girl and find out what she wants to do.” 58 So they called Rebekah and asked her,“Do you want to go with this man?” She replied,“I want to go.” 59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, accompanied by her female attendant, with Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 They blessed Rebekah with these words:“Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands! May your descendants possess the strongholds of their enemies.” 61 Then Rebekah and her female servants mounted the camels and rode away with the man. So Abraham’s servant took Rebekah and left. 62 Now Isaac came from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. 63 He went out to relax in the field in the early evening. Then he looked up and saw that there were camels approaching. 64 Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel 65 and asked Abraham’s servant,“Who is that man walking in the field toward us?”“That is my master,” the servant replied. So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 The servant told Isaac everything that had happened. 67 Then Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took her as his wife and loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
  • Prov 29:15 : 15 A rod and reproof impart wisdom, but a child who is unrestrained brings shame to his mother.
  • Prov 11:29 : 29 The one who troubles his family will inherit nothing, and the fool will be a servant to the wise person.
  • Prov 14:35 : 35 The king shows favor to a wise servant, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Prov 29:21
    77%

    21If someone pampers his servant from youth, he will be a weakling in the end.

  • Prov 11:29
    77%

    29The one who troubles his family will inherit nothing, and the fool will be a servant to the wise person.

  • Prov 14:35
    76%

    35The king shows favor to a wise servant, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

  • Prov 28:7
    76%

    7The one who keeps the law is a discerning child, but a companion of gluttons brings shame to his parents.

  • Prov 15:20
    76%

    20A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.

  • Prov 17:25
    75%

    25A foolish child is a grief to his father, and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

  • Prov 29:15
    74%

    15A rod and reproof impart wisdom, but a child who is unrestrained brings shame to his mother.

  • Prov 3:35
    74%

    35The wise inherit honor, but he holds fools up to public contempt.

  • Prov 10:1
    73%

    1The First Collection of Solomonic Proverbs The Proverbs of Solomon: A wise child makes a father rejoice, but a foolish child is a grief to his mother.

  • Eccl 4:13
    73%

    13Labor Motivated by Prestige-Seeking A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.

  • Prov 13:1
    73%

    1A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scoffer has never listened to rebuke.

  • Prov 27:11
    73%

    11Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, so that I may answer anyone who taunts me.

  • Prov 29:17
    72%

    17Discipline your child, and he will give you rest; he will bring you happiness.

  • Prov 15:5-6
    2 verses
    72%

    5A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense.

    6In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth, but the income of the wicked will be ruined.

  • Prov 17:1
    72%

    1Better is a dry crust of bread where there is quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.

  • Prov 19:10
    72%

    10Luxury is not appropriate for a fool; how much less for a servant to rule over princes!

  • Prov 10:5
    72%

    5The one who gathers crops in the summer is a wise son, but the one who sleeps during harvest is a shameful son.

  • Prov 17:6
    72%

    6Grandchildren are like a crown to the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents.

  • Deut 21:17-18
    2 verses
    72%

    17Rather, he must acknowledge the son of the less loved wife as firstborn and give him the double portion of all he has, for that son is the beginning of his father’s procreative power– to him should go the right of the firstborn.

    18If a person has a stubborn, rebellious son who pays no attention to his father or mother, and they discipline him to no avail,

  • Prov 17:21
    72%

    21Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy.

  • Prov 19:13-14
    2 verses
    72%

    13A foolish child is the ruin of his father, and a contentious wife is like a constant dripping.

    14A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

  • Prov 23:24
    72%

    24The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly; whoever fathers a wise child will have joy in him.

  • Prov 19:26
    72%

    26The one who robs his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

  • Prov 12:9
    71%

    9Better is a person of humble standing who works for himself, than one who pretends to be somebody important yet has no food.

  • Prov 30:22
    71%

    22under a servant who becomes king, under a fool who becomes stuffed with food,

  • Prov 13:18
    71%

    18The one who neglects discipline ends up in poverty and shame, but the one who accepts reproof is honored.

  • Prov 22:6-7
    2 verses
    71%

    6Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

    7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

  • Prov 23:15
    71%

    15My child, if your heart is wise, then my heart also will be glad;

  • Luke 12:44
    71%

    44I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions.

  • Matt 24:47
    70%

    47I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions.

  • Prov 12:16
    70%

    16A fool’s annoyance is known at once, but the prudent conceals dishonor.

  • Prov 12:24
    70%

    24The diligent person will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.

  • Prov 29:19
    70%

    19A servant cannot be corrected by words, for although he understands, there is no answer.

  • Isa 3:6
    70%

    6Indeed, a man will grab his brother right in his father’s house and say,‘You own a coat– you be our leader! This heap of ruins will be under your control.’

  • Prov 17:3
    69%

    3The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold, likewise the LORD tests hearts.

  • 1 Tim 3:4
    69%

    4He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.

  • Prov 20:21
    69%

    21An inheritance gained easily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.

  • Eccl 7:11
    69%

    11Wisdom Can Lengthen One’s Life Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.

  • Prov 19:18
    69%

    18Discipline your child, for there is hope, but do not set your heart on causing his death.

  • Eccl 9:17
    69%

    17Wisdom versus Fools, Sin, and Folly The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools.

  • Matt 24:45
    69%

    45The Faithful and Wise Slave“Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their food at the proper time?

  • Prov 23:19
    69%

    19Listen, my child, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right way.

  • Prov 13:22
    69%

    22A good person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren, but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.

  • Gal 4:1
    69%

    1Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything.

  • Prov 14:3
    69%

    3In the speech of a fool is a rod for his back, but the words of the wise protect them.

  • Prov 17:10
    69%

    10A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool.