1: Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife. 2: A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren. 3: The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts. 4: An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue. 5: Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [And] he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished. 6: Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers. 7: Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince. 8: A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. 9: He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends. 10: A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool. 11: An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 12: Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly. 13: Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house. 14: The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling. 15: He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah. 16: Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding? 17: A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity. 18: A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor. 19: He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction. 20: He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. 21: He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy. 22: A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones. 23: A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice. 24: Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. 25: A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him. 26: Also to punish the righteous is not good, [Nor] to smite the noble for [their] uprightness. 27: He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 28: Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
