1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith,
2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame,
3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Yahweh trieth the hearts.
4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [And] he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.
7Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.
8A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
10A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding
11An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man,
13Whoso rewardeth evil for good,
14The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water:
15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous,
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
17A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
18A man void of understanding striketh hands,
19He loveth transgression that loveth strife:
20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
22A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom,
24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is a grief to his father,
26Also to punish the righteous is not good,
27He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.