Proverbs 17:4-10

New American Standard Bible 1995

⁴ An ^(A)evildoer listens to wicked lips;
A ^[a]liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
⁵ He who mocks the ^(B)poor taunts his Maker;
He who ^(C)rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
^6 (D)Grandchildren are the crown of old men,
And the ^(E)glory of sons is their fathers.
^7 [b](F)Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are ^(G)lying lips to a prince.
⁸ A ^(H)bribe is a ^[c]charm in the sight of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
⁹ He who ^(I)conceals a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter ^(J)separates intimate friends.
¹⁰ A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding
Than a hundred blows into a fool.