Proverbs 17:7-21

7Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.12

8A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.3

9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.4

10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.5

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 it be meddled with.

15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to Yhwh.

16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

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 friend.6

19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.7

21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.