Proverbs 17

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

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2} A servant who acts wisely will rule over an heir who behaves shamefully, and will share the inheritance along with the relatives.

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3} The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold, likewise the Lord tests hearts.

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4} One who acts wickedly pays attention to evil counsel; a liar listens to a malicious tongue.

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5} The one who mocks the poor insults his Creator; whoever rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished.

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6} Grandchildren are like a crown to the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents.

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7} Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!

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8} A bribe works like a charm for the one who offers it; in whatever he does he succeeds.

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9} The one who forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends.

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10} A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool.

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11} An evil person seeks only rebellion, and so a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

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12} It is better for a person to meet a mother bear being robbed of her cubs, than to encounter a fool in his folly.

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13} As for the one who repays evil for good, evil will not leave his house.

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14} Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; stop it before strife breaks out!

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15} The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent -- both of them are an abomination to the Lord.

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16} Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no intention of acquiring wisdom?

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17} A friend loves at all times, and a relative is born to help in adversity.

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18} The one who lacks wisdom strikes hands in pledge, and puts up financial security for his neighbor.

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19} The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression; whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction.

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20} The one who has a perverse heart does not find good, and the one who is deceitful in speech falls into trouble.

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21} Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy.

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22} A cheerful heart brings good healing, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

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23} A wicked person receives a bribe secretly to pervert the ways of justice.

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24} Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person, but the eyes of a fool run to the ends of the earth.

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25} A foolish child is a grief to his father, and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

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26} It is terrible to punish a righteous person, and to flog honorable men is wrong.

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27} The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning.

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28} Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.