17 Better
is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices
with strife. 2 A
wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall
have part of the inheritance among the brethren. 3 The
fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth
the hearts. 4 A
wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty
tongue. 5 Whoso
mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities
shall not be unpunished. 6 Children's
children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their
fathers. 7 Excellent
speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. 8 A
gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever
it turneth, it prospereth. 9 He
that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter
separateth very friends. 10 A
reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. 11 An
evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be
sent against him. 12 Let
a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. 13 Whoso
rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave
off contention, before it be meddled with. 15 He
that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both
are abomination to the LORD. 16 Wherefore
is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no
heart to it? 17 A friend
loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18 A man
void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence
of his friend. 19 He
loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh
destruction. 20 He
that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue
falleth into mischief. 21 He
that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath
no joy. 22 A merry
heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. 23 A wicked
man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. 24 Wisdom
is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the
ends of the earth. 25 A foolish
son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. 26 Also
to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. 27 He
that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of
an excellent spirit. 28 Even
a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth
his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.