Fine speech is not (A)becoming to a fool;
    still less is (B)false speech to a prince.
(C)A bribe is like a magic[a] stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
    wherever he turns he prospers.
Whoever (D)covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter (E)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 (F)a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet (G)a she-bear robbed of her cubs
    (H)rather than a fool in his folly.
13 If anyone (I)returns evil for good,
    (J)evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so (K)quit before the quarrel breaks out.
15 He who (L)justifies the wicked and he who (M)condemns the righteous
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
16 Why should a fool have money in his hand (N)to buy wisdom
    when he has no sense?
17 (O)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 (P)makes his door high seeks destruction.
20 (Q)A man of crooked heart does not discover good,
    and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
21 He who (R)sires a fool gets himself sorrow,
    and the father of a fool has no joy.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 Or precious

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