1Better is a dry morsel , and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife . 2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren. 3The refining pot is for silver , and the furnace for gold ; But Jehovah trieth the hearts . 4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips ; And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue . 5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker ; And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished . 6Children ’s children are the crown of old men ; And the glory of children are their fathers. 7Excellent speech becometh not a fool ; Much less do lying lips a prince . 8A bribe 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 .
The Nature of Speech
10A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a 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 is quarrelling.
The Consequences of Foolishness
15He that justifieth the wicked , and he that condemneth the righteous , Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah . 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 . 18A man void of understanding striketh hands , And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor . 19He loveth transgression that loveth strife : He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction . 20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good ; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief .
The Value of Friendship
21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow ; And the father of a fool hath no joy . 22A cheerful heart is a good medicine ; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones . 23A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom , To pervert the ways of justice . 24Wisdom is before the face of 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 bare him . 26Also to punish the righteous is not good , Nor to smite the noble for their uprightness . 27He that spareth his words hath knowledge ; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding . 28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace , is counted wise ; When he shutteth his lips , he is esteemed as prudent.