Proverbs17

¹ Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.

² A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.

³ Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

⁴ Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.

⁵ Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

⁶ Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.

⁷ Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

⁸ A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!

⁹ Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

¹⁰ A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

¹¹ Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished.

¹² It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.

¹³ If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.

¹⁴ Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.

¹⁵ Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— both are detestable to the Lord.

¹⁶ It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.

¹⁷ A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

¹⁸ It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend.

¹⁹ Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

²⁰ The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

²¹ It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

²² A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

²³ The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice.

²⁴ Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

²⁵ Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.

²⁶ It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest.

²⁷ A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

²⁸ Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.