Proverbs 16:31-17:17

New American Standard Bible

³¹ A ^(A)gray head is a crown of glory;
It ^(B)is found in the way of righteousness.
³² One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.
³³ The ^(C)lot is cast into the lap,
But its every ^(D)decision is from the Lord.

17 ^(E)Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
Than a house full of ^[a]feasting with strife.
² A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in the inheritance among brothers.
³ The ^(F)refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But ^(G)the Lord tests hearts.
⁴ An ^(H)evildoer listens to wicked lips;
A ^[b]liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
⁵ One who mocks the ^(I)poor taunts his Maker;
One who ^(J)rejoices at disaster will not go unpunished.
^6 (K)Grandchildren are the crown of the old,
And the ^(L)glory of sons is their fathers.
^7 [c](M)Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are ^(N)lying lips to a prince.
⁸ A ^(O)bribe is a ^[d]charm in the sight of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
⁹ One who ^(P)conceals an offense seeks love,
But one who repeats a matter ^(Q)separates close friends.
¹⁰ A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding
Than a hundred blows into a fool.
¹¹ A rebellious person seeks only evil,
So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
¹² Let a ^(R)person meet a ^(S)bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his foolishness.
¹³ One who ^(T)returns evil for good,
^(U)Evil will not depart from his house.
¹⁴ The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So ^(V)abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
¹⁵ One who ^(W)justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
¹⁶ Why is there money in the hand of a fool to ^(X)buy wisdom,
When ^[e]he has no sense?
¹⁷ A ^(Y)friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.