Proverbs 17:5-14

New King James Version

^5 (A)He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;
^(B)He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

^6 (C)Children’s children are the crown of old men,
And the glory of children is their father.

⁷ Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,
Much less lying lips to a prince.

⁸ A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

^9 (D)He who covers a transgression seeks love,
But ^(E)he who repeats a matter separates friends.

^10 (F)Rebuke is more effective for a wise man
Than a hundred blows on a fool.

¹¹ An evil man seeks only rebellion;
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

¹² Let a man meet ^(G)a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.

¹³ Whoever ^(H)rewards evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.

¹⁴ The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
Therefore ^(I)stop contention before a quarrel starts.