Proverbs 17:1-19

¹Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.

²A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.

³A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.

⁴Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.

⁵Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.

⁶Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.

⁷Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.

⁸Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!

⁹If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.

¹⁰A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.

¹¹Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.

¹²Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.

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

¹⁴The beginning of a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.

¹⁵The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.

¹⁶Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?

¹⁷A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.

¹⁸It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.

¹⁹People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.