17
1 Better
is a dry
morsel with
quietness,
than a house
full of feasting
with strife.
2 A
servant who deals
wisely will rule
over a son
who causes shame,
and shall have
a part in
the inheritance
among the brothers.
3 The
refining pot is
for silver, and
the furnace for
gold,
but the LORD tests
the hearts.
4 An
evildoer heeds wicked
lips.
A liar gives ear
to a mischievous
tongue.
5 Whoever mocks
the poor
reproaches his
Maker.
He who is
glad at calamity
shall not be
unpunished.
6 Children’s
children are the
crown of old
men;
the glory of
children is their parents.
7 Excellent
speech isn’t fitting
for a fool,
much less do
lying lips fit a
prince.
8 A
bribe is a
precious stone in
the eyes of
him who gives
it;
wherever he turns,
he prospers.
9 He who
covers an offense promotes love;
but he who
repeats a matter
separates best friends.
10 A
rebuke enters deeper into
one who has understanding
than a hundred lashes into
a fool.
11 An
evil man seeks
only rebellion;
therefore a cruel
messenger shall be
sent against him.
12 Let a
bear robbed of her
cubs meet a
man,
rather than a fool
in his folly.
13 Whoever rewards
evil for good,
evil shall not
depart from his
house.
14 The
beginning of
strife is
like breaching a dam,
therefore stop contention
before quarreling breaks
out.
15 He
who justifies the
wicked, and he
who condemns the
righteous,
both of them
alike are an
abomination to the
LORD.
16 Why
is there money in
the hand of
a fool to
buy wisdom,
since he has no
understanding?
17 A
friend loves at
all times;
and a brother
is born for
adversity.
18 A
man void of
understanding strikes
hands,
and becomes
collateral in the
presence of his
neighbor.
19 He who loves disobedience
loves strife.
One who builds a
high gate seeks
destruction.
20 One
who has a
perverse heart doesn’t
find prosperity,
and one who
has a deceitful
tongue falls into
trouble.
21 He
who becomes the
father of a
fool grieves.
The father of
a fool has
no joy.
22 A
cheerful heart
makes good
medicine,
but a crushed
spirit dries up
the bones.
23 A
wicked man
receives a bribe
in secret,
to pervert
the ways of
justice.
24 Wisdom
is before the
face of one
who has
understanding,
but the eyes of
a fool wander to
the ends of
the earth.
25 A
foolish son brings
grief to his
father,
and bitterness to
her who bore
him.
26 Also
to punish the
righteous is not
good,
nor to
flog officials for
their integrity.
27 He
who spares his words
has knowledge.
He who is even
tempered is a man
of understanding.
28 Even
a fool, when he
keeps silent, is
counted wise.
When he shuts his
lips, he is
thought to
be discerning.