Proverbs 17

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1} Dry crumbs in peace are better than a full meal with strife.

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2} A prudent servant will rule in place of a disgraceful son and will share in the inheritance among brothers.

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3} The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold but the LORD assays hearts.

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4} Whoever practices evil pays attention to wicked speech, and the liar listens to malicious talk.

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5} Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their maker, and whoever is happy about disaster will not go unpunished.

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6} Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the pride of children is their parents.

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7} Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool; how much more are deceitful statements with a prince!

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8} A bribe works wonders in the eyes of its giver; wherever he turns he prospers.

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9} Anyone who overlooks an offense promotes love, but someone who gossips separates close friends.

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10} A rebuke is more effective with a man of understanding than a hundred lashes to a fool.

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11} A rebellious person seeks evil; a cruel emissary will be sent to oppose him.

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12} It's better to meet a mother bear who has lost her cubs than a fool in his stupidity.

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13} The person who repays good with evil will never see evil leave his home.

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14} Starting a quarrel is like spilling water so drop the dispute before it escalates.

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15} Exonerating the wicked and condemning the righteous are both detestable to the LORD.

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16} What is this? A fool has enough money to buy wisdom, but is senseless?

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17} A friend loves at all times, and a brother is there for times of trouble.

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18} A man who lacks sense cosigns a loan, becoming a guarantor for his neighbor.

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19} The person who loves transgression loves strife; the person who builds a high gate invites destruction.

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20} The person whose mind is perverse does not find good, and anyone with perverted speech falls into trouble.

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21} The man who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow the father of a fool has no joy.

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22} A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit drains one's strength.

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23} The wicked man takes a bribe in secret in order to pervert the course of justice.

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24} A person with understanding has wisdom as his objective, but a fool looks only to earthly goals.

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25} A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to his mother.

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26} Furthermore, it isn't good to fine the righteous, or to beat an official because of his uprightness.

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27} Whoever controls what he says is knowledgeable; anyone who has a calm spirit is a man of understanding.

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28} Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent; he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut.