Proverbs [Sayings] 17:14-27

¹⁴The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.

¹⁵He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the upright, both of them alike are an abomination to Adonai .

¹⁶Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

¹⁷A friend 'ahav ·affectionately loves· at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.

¹⁸A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.

¹⁹He who 'ahav ·affectionately loves· disobedience 'ahav ·affectionately loves· strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.

²⁰One who has a perverse heart does not find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

²¹He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.

²²A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

²³A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of mishpat ·justice·.

²⁴Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

²⁵A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

²⁶Also to punish the upright is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.

²⁷He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.