Proverbs 17:1-28 NET

[1] Better is a dry crust of bread where there is quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. [2] A servant who acts wisely will rule over an heir who behaves shamefully, and will share the inheritance along with the relatives. [3] The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold, likewise the LORD tests hearts. [4] One who acts wickedly pays attention to evil counsel; a liar listens to a malicious tongue. [5] The one who mocks the poor has insulted his Creator; whoever rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished. [6] Grandchildren are like a crown to the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents. [7] Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler! [8] A bribe works like a charm for the one who offers it; in whatever he does he succeeds. [9] The one who forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends. [10] A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool. [11] An evil person seeks only rebellion, and so a cruel messenger will be sent against him. [12] It is better for a person to meet a mother bear being robbed of her cubs, than to encounter a fool in his folly. [13] As for the one who repays evil for good, evil will not leave his house. [14] Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; abandon strife before it breaks out! [15] The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent-both of them are an abomination to the LORD. [16] What's the point of a fool having money in hand to buy wisdom, when his head is empty? [17] A friend loves at all times, and a relative is born to help in adversity. [18] The one who lacks sense strikes hands in pledge, and puts up financial security for his neighbor. [19] The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression; whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction. [20] The one who has a perverse heart does not find good, and the one who is deceitful in speech falls into trouble. [21] Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy. [22] A cheerful heart brings good healing, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. [23] A wicked person receives a bribe secretly to pervert the ways of justice. [24] Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person, but the eyes of a fool run to the ends of the earth. [25] A foolish child is a grief to his father, and bitterness to the mother who bore him. [26] It is terrible to punish a righteous person, and to flog honorable men is wrong. [27] The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning. [28] Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.