Proverbs 17:13-25

¹³Whoso bestoweth evil in return for good—evil shall not depart from his house.

¹⁴As one letteth loose a stream of water, so is the beginning of strife: therefore before it be enkindled, leave off the contest.

¹⁵He that declareth the wicked innocent, and he that condemneth the righteous, yea, both of them are equally an abomination to the Lord.

¹⁶Wherefore is the purchase-money in the hand of a fool to acquire wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?

¹⁷A friend loveth at all times, and as a brother is he born for the time of distress.

¹⁸A man void of sense pledgeth his hand, and becometh surety for his friend.

¹⁹He loveth transgression that loveth quarrel; and he that maketh high his door seeketh destruction.

²⁰He that hath a froward heart will not find happiness; and he that hath a perverse tongue will fall into evil.

²¹He that begetteth a fool doth it to his sorrow; and the father of a worthless fool cannot have any joy.

²²A merry heart causeth a healthy appearance of the countenance, but a depressed spirit drieth up the bones.

²³A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of justice.

²⁴Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are at the ends of the earth.

²⁵A foolish son is a vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that hath born him.