The Proverbs

17: 1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith,

 Than a house full of feasting with strife.

 ^17:2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame,

 And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

 ^17:3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold;

 But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

 ^17:4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips;

 And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

 ^17:5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker;

 And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

 ^17:6Children's children are the crown of old men;

 And the glory of children are their fathers.

 ^17:7Excellent speech becometh not a fool;

 Much less do lying lips a prince.

 ^17:8A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it;

 Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

 ^17:9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;

 But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

 ^17:10A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding

 Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

 ^17:11An evil man seeketh only rebellion;

 Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

 ^17:12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man,

 Rather than a fool in his folly.

 ^17:13Whoso rewardeth evil for good,

 Evil shall not depart from his house.

 ^17:14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water:

 Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

 ^17:15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous,

 Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

 ^17:16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,

 Seeing he hath no understanding?

 ^17:17A friend loveth at all times;

 And a brother is born for adversity.

 ^17:18A man void of understanding striketh hands,

 And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

 ^17:19He loveth transgression that loveth strife:

 He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

 ^17:20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good;

 And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

 ^17:21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow;

 And the father of a fool hath no joy.

 ^17:22A cheerful heart is a good medicine;

 But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

 ^17:23A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom,

 To pervert the ways of justice.

 ^17:24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding;

 But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

 ^17:25A foolish son is a grief to his father,

 And bitterness to her that bare him.

 ^17:26Also to punish the righteous is not good,

 Nor to smite the noble for their uprightness.

 ^17:27He that spareth his words hath knowledge;

 And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

 ^17:28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise;

 When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.