Proverbs 17:2-19

English Standard Version

² A servant who deals wisely will rule over ^(A)a son who acts shamefully
    and ^(B)will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
^3 (C)The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    ^(D)and the Lord tests hearts.
⁴ An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
⁵ Whoever mocks the poor ^(E)insults his Maker;
    he who is ^(F)glad at calamity will not go ^(G)unpunished.
^6 (H)Grandchildren are ^(I)the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their fathers.
⁷ Fine speech is not ^(J)becoming to a fool;
    still less is ^(K)false speech to a prince.
^8 (L)A bribe is like a magic^[a] stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
    wherever he turns he prospers.
⁹ Whoever ^(M)covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter ^(N)separates close friends.
¹⁰ A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding
    than a hundred blows into a fool.
¹¹ An evil man seeks only rebellion,
    and ^(O)a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
¹² Let a man meet ^(P)a she-bear robbed of her cubs
    ^(Q)rather than a fool in his folly.
¹³ If anyone ^(R)returns evil for good,
    ^(S)evil will not depart from his house.
¹⁴ The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so ^(T)quit before the quarrel breaks out.
¹⁵ He who ^(U)justifies the wicked and he who ^(V)condemns the righteous
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
¹⁶ Why should a fool have money in his hand ^(W)to buy wisdom
    when he has no sense?
^17 (X)A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for adversity.
¹⁸ One who lacks sense gives a pledge
    and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.
¹⁹ Whoever loves transgression loves strife;
    he who ^(Y)makes his door high seeks destruction.