Proverbs 17:1-16

¹Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of sacrifices with strife.

²A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

³The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: But the Lord trieth the hearts.

⁴A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; And a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

⁵Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: And he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

⁶Children’s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.

⁷Excellent speech becometh not a fool: Much less do lying lips a prince.

⁸A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

⁹He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

¹⁰A reproof entereth more into a wise man Than an hundred stripes into a fool.

¹¹An evil man seeketh only rebellion: Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

¹²Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.

¹³Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

¹⁴The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

¹⁵He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, Even they both are abomination to the Lord.

¹⁶Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool To get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?