Proverbs 17:1-28 VOICE

[1] Better to gnaw on a bit of dry crust in peace than to feast in a house full of stress. [2] A wise servant will be put in charge of a child who behaves badly and will take a share of the inheritance like one of the family. [3] Silver is purified in the crucible, gold in the furnace, but motives of the heart are judged by the Eternal. [4] Wrongdoers perk up when listening to gossip, and liars lean in close to hear talk of mischief. [5] Anyone who makes fun of the poor disparages his Maker, and those who celebrate another's misfortune will not escape certain punishment. [6] Grandchildren are the crowning glory and ultimate delight of old age, and parents are the pride of their children. [7] Elegant speech sounds odd when it comes from a fool, and a lie on the lips of a leader is even more out of place! [8] A bribe is like an enchanting charm to one who counts on it- everywhere he looks he sees the illusion of success. [9] Those who forgive faults foster love, but those who repeatedly recall them ruin relationships. [10] A single correction makes a more lasting impression on one who is wise than a hundred lashes do on a fool. [11] Evil people are determined to rebel, and so a merciless messenger will chase them down. [12] Better to face a mother bear stripped of her cubs than to encounter a fool caught up in his foolishness. [13] Those who repay good with evil bring unrelenting trouble upon their families. [14] Picking a fight is like leaking water from a crack in a dam, so walk away from an argument before the outburst. [15] Both of these deeply offend the Eternal: one who acquits the guilty and one who condemns the innocent. [16] Even if fools had the means to obtain wisdom, they would not be able to benefit from it. [17] A true friend loves regardless of the situation, and a real brother exists to share the tough times. [18] Only a fool shakes hands on a deal and guarantees repayment of someone else's loan. [19] A person who loves sin loves a fight, and one who builds a grand entrance dares others to tear it down. [20] Crooked-hearted people never recognize anything good, and those who distort the truth court disaster. [21] Having a fool for a child is misery; there is no joy in parenting a fool. [22] A joy-filled heart is curative balm, but a broken spirit hurts all the way to the bone. [23] A wicked person accepts a bribe under the table to derail the course of justice. [24] Those who understand look to wisdom for guidance, but fools fasten their eyes on some distant horizon. [25] Foolish children irritate their fathers and embitter their mothers. [26] Also know this: It is wrong to penalize those who do what is right or to lash the noble because of their integrity. [27] Those with knowledge know when to be quiet, and those with understanding know how to remain calm. [28] Even a fool who keeps quiet is considered wise, for when he keeps his mouth shut, he appears clever.