Proverbs 17:14-28

¹⁴The beginning of contention is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.

¹⁵He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.

¹⁶To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?

¹⁷The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

¹⁸A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.

¹⁹He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.

²⁰He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.

²¹He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow, and the father of a vile man hath no joy.

²²A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

²³A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.

²⁴Wisdom is before 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 bore him.

²⁶To punish a righteous man is not good, nor to strike nobles because of their uprightness.

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

²⁸Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, and he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.