Proverbs 17:9-14

English Standard Version

⁹ Whoever ^(A)covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter ^(B)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 ^(C)a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
¹² Let a man meet ^(D)a she-bear robbed of her cubs
    ^(E)rather than a fool in his folly.
¹³ If anyone ^(F)returns evil for good,
    ^(G)evil will not depart from his house.
¹⁴ The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so ^(H)quit before the quarrel breaks out.