Proverbs 17:1-12

¹Better a bit of dry bread in peace, than a house full of feasting and violent behaviour.

²A servant who does wisely will have rule over a son causing shame, and will have his part in the heritage among brothers.

³The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.

⁴A wrongdoer gives attention to evil lips, and a man of deceit gives ear to a damaging tongue.

⁵Whoever makes sport of the poor puts shame on his Maker; and he who is glad because of trouble will not go free from punishment.

⁶Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their fathers.

⁷Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.

⁸An offering of money is like a stone of great price in the eyes of him who has it: wherever he goes, he does well.

⁹He who keeps a sin covered is looking for love; but he who keeps on talking of a thing makes division between friends.

¹⁰A word of protest goes deeper into one who has sense than a hundred blows into a foolish man.

¹¹An uncontrolled man is only looking for trouble, so a cruel servant will be sent against him.

¹²It is better to come face to face with a bear whose young ones have been taken away than with a foolish man acting foolishly.