Proverbs 17:14-28

¹⁴The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

¹⁵He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

¹⁶Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?

¹⁷A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.

¹⁸A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

¹⁹He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

²⁰He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

²¹He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.

²²A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

²³A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

²⁴Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

²⁵A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.

²⁶Also to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to smite the noble for their uprightness.

²⁷He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

²⁸Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.