Proverbs 17:8-23

English Standard Version

^8 (A)A bribe is like a magic^[a] stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
    wherever he turns he prospers.
⁹ Whoever ^(B)covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter ^(C)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 ^(D)a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
¹² Let a man meet ^(E)a she-bear robbed of her cubs
    ^(F)rather than a fool in his folly.
¹³ If anyone ^(G)returns evil for good,
    ^(H)evil will not depart from his house.
¹⁴ The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so ^(I)quit before the quarrel breaks out.
¹⁵ He who ^(J)justifies the wicked and he who ^(K)condemns the righteous
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
¹⁶ Why should a fool have money in his hand ^(L)to buy wisdom
    when he has no sense?
^17 (M)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 ^(N)makes his door high seeks destruction.
^20 (O)A man of crooked heart does not discover good,
    and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
²¹ He who ^(P)sires a fool gets himself sorrow,
    and the father of a fool has no joy.
^22 (Q)A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit ^(R)dries up the bones.
²³ The wicked accepts ^(S)a bribe in secret^[b]
    to ^(T)pervert the ways of justice.