Proverbs 17:22-18:12

English Standard Version

²²^(A)A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit ^(B)dries up the bones.
²³The wicked accepts ^(C)a bribe in secret^[a]
    to ^(D)pervert the ways of justice.
²⁴^(E)The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
²⁵^(F)A foolish son is a grief to his father
    ^(G)and bitterness to ^(H)her who bore him.
²⁶^(I)To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,
    nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
²⁷Whoever ^(J)restrains his words has knowledge,
    and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
²⁸Even a fool ^(K)who keeps silent is considered wise;
    when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
18 Whoever ^(L)isolates himself seeks his own desire;
    he breaks out against all sound judgment.
²A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
    but only ^(M)in expressing his opinion.
³When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
    and with dishonor comes disgrace.
⁴The words of a man's mouth are ^(N)deep waters;
    the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
⁵It is not good to ^(O)be partial to^[b] the wicked
    or to ^(P)deprive the righteous of justice.
⁶A fool's lips walk into a fight,
    and his mouth invites ^(Q)a beating.
⁷^(R)A fool's mouth is his ruin,
    and his lips are a snare to his soul.
⁸^(S)The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into ^(T)the inner parts of the body.
⁹Whoever is slack in his work
    is a ^(U)brother to him who destroys.
¹⁰^(V)The name of the Lord is ^(W)a strong tower;
    the righteous man runs into it and ^(X)is safe.
¹¹^(Y)A rich man's wealth is his strong city,
    and like a high wall in his imagination.
¹²^(Z)Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
    but ^(AA)humility comes before honor.