PROVERBS 17:8-17

⁸A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

⁹He that covereth a transgression seeketh love: but he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

¹⁰A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding than an hundred stripes into a fool.

¹¹An evil man seeketh only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

¹²Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

¹³Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

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

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

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.