Proverbs 17:7-21

712Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are 3lying lips to a prince.8A 4bribe is a 5charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.9One who 6conceals an offense seeks love, But one who repeats a matter 7separates close friends.10A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.11A rebellious person seeks only evil, So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.12Let a 8person meet a 9bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his foolishness.13One who 10returns evil for good, 11Evil will not depart from his house.14The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So 12abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.15One who 13justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.16Why is there money in the hand of a fool to 14buy wisdom, When 15he has no sense?17A 16friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.18A person lacking in 17sense 18shakes hands And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.19One who 19loves wrongdoing loves strife; One who 20makes his doorway high seeks destruction.20One who has a crooked 21mind 22finds nothing good, And one who is 2324corrupted in his language falls into evil.21He who 25fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.