Proverbs 17:1

Better is a dry crust of bread ¹  where there is quietness ²  than a house full of feasting with strife. ³ 

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.

A dry crust eaten in peace is better than a great feast with strife.

A meal of bread and water in contented peace is better than a banquet spiced with quarrels.

Better a bit of dry bread in peace, than a house full of feasting and violent behaviour.

Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

Better is a dry crust of bread ¹  where there is quietness ²  than a house full of feasting with strife. ³ 

¹ tn The phrase “a dry piece of bread” is like bread without butter, a morsel of bread not dipped in vinegar mix (e.g., Ruth 2:14). It represents here a simple, humble meal.

² tn Heb “and quietness in it”; the construction functions as a circumstantial clause: “in which there is quietness” or “with quietness.”

sn The Hebrew word means “quietness” or “ease.” It represents a place where there can be carefree ease because of the sense of peace and security. The Greek rendering suggests that those translators read it as “peace.” Even if the fare is poor, this kind of setting is to be preferred.

³ tn The house is described as being full of “sacrifices of strife” (זִבְחֵי־רִיב, zivkhi-riv). The use of “sacrifices” suggests a connection with the temple (as in 7:14) in which the people may have made their sacrifices and had a large amount meat left over. It is also possible that the reference is simply to a sumptuous meal (Deut 12:15; Isa 34:6; Ezek 39:17). It would be rare for Israelites to eat meat apart from festivals, however. In the construction the genitive could be classified as a genitive of effect, the feast in general “bringing about strife,” or it could simply be an attributive genitive, “a feast characterized by strife.” Abundance often brings deterioration of moral and ethical standards as well as an increase in envy and strife.