Proverbs 17:2-20

²An intelligent servant will have rule over a son that bringeth shame, and among the brothers will he have part of the inheritance.

³The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord probeth the hearts.

⁴An evil-doer listeneth to unjust lips: falsehood giveth ear to a tongue that bringeth destruction.

⁵Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker: he that is glad at calamities will not remain unpunished.

⁶The crown of old men are children's children; and the ornament of children are their fathers.

⁷High-toned language is not seemly to a worthless fool: and yet much less the language of falsehood to a noble.

⁸As a precious stone appeareth a bribe in the eyes of him that obtaineth it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

⁹He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth confident friends.

¹⁰A reproof penetrateth more deeply into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.

¹¹Only rebellion doth a bad man seek: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent out against him.

¹²A man may meet a she-bear robbed of her whelps, but not a fool in his folly.

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.