17:1 It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace than to have a feast where there is quarreling.
17:2 A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful child and will even inherit a share of what the master leaves his children.
17:3 A hot furnace tests silver and gold, but the Lord tests hearts.
17:4 Evil people listen to evil words. Liars pay attention to cruel words.
17:5 Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker; whoever enjoys someone’s trouble will be punished.
17:6 Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
17:7 Fools should not be proud, and rulers should not be liars.
17:8 Some people think they can pay others to do anything they ask. They think it will work every time.
17:9 Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend, but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships.
17:10 A wise person will learn more from a warning than a fool will learn from a hundred lashings.
17:11 Disobedient people look only for trouble, so a cruel messenger will be sent against them.
17:12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to meet a fool doing foolish things.
17:13 Whoever gives evil in return for good will always have trouble at home.
17:14 Starting a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before a fight breaks out.
17:15 The Lord hates both of these things: freeing the guilty and punishing the innocent.
17:16 It won’t do a fool any good to try to buy wisdom, because he doesn’t have the ability to be wise.
17:17 A friend loves you all the time, and a brother helps in time of trouble.
17:18 It is not wise to promise to pay what your neighbor owes.
17:19 Whoever loves to argue loves to sin. Whoever brags a lot is asking for trouble.
17:20 A person with an evil heart will find no success, and the person whose words are evil will get into trouble.
17:21 It is sad to have a foolish child; there is no joy in being the parent of a fool.
17:22 A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength.
17:23 When the wicked accept money to do wrong there can be no justice.
17:24 The person with understanding is always looking for wisdom, but the mind of a fool wanders everywhere.
17:25 Foolish children make their father sad and cause their mother great sorrow.
17:26 It is not good to punish the innocent or to beat leaders for being honest.
17:27 The wise say very little, and those with understanding stay calm.
17:28 Even fools seem to be wise if they keep quiet; if they don’t speak, they appear to understand.
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