A FRIEND LOVES AT ALL TIMES  

Proverbs 17:1-28 / Keywords 17:17

7 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet

    than a house full of feasting, with strife.

2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son

    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,

    but the Lord tests the heart.

4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;

    a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;

    whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged,

    and parents are the pride of their children.

7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—

    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;

    they think success will come at every turn.

9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,

    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person

    more than a hundred lashes a fool.

11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;

    the messenger of death will be sent against them.

12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs

    than a fool bent on folly.

13 Evil will never leave the house

    of one who pays back evil for good.

14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;

    so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—

    the Lord detests them both.

16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,

    when they are not able to understand it?

17 A friend loves at all times,

    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge

    and puts up security for a neighbor.

19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;

    whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;

    one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;

    there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,

    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

23 The wicked accept bribes in secret

    to pervert the course of justice.

24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,

    but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father

    and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,

    surely to flog honest officials is not right.

27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,

    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,

    and discerning if they hold their tongues.

1. A common theme running through these passages is about avoiding quarrels. The temptation to argue is hard to overcome. The fall out lasts longer than we may think. Many of the verses here give us wisdom and will protect us if we just claim one of them and hold onto it by faith. 

2. Many couples suffer from fighting in their homes (1). Many children rebel without thinking about the consequences (2). There are divisions in society and corruption in politics that create dissension. What is the solution? We can foster love or rebellion. Verse 17 says that a friend loves at all times. Brothers have no choice but to be brothers. But you choose your friends. And you decide to love your friends at all times by faith. Then, even brothers can be friends and help each other instead of fighting with each other. 

3. Evil and corruption break bonds and destroy communities. But those who love cheerfully bring healing. Those who seek knowledge and understanding show restraint and have high emotional intelligence. They protect and preserve the unity that strengthens us all. 

Prayer Father, thank you for our Friend Jesus who loved us at all times. Help us to have knowledge and understanding to restrain ourselves and practice your love at all times. 

One Word A friend who loves at all times