Proverbs 17:1-28 ICB

[1] It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace than to have a feast where there is quarreling. [2] A wise servant will rule over his master's disgraceful son. And he will even inherit a share of what the master leaves his sons. [3] A hot furnace tests silver and gold. In the same way, the Lord tests a person's heart. [4] An evil person listens to evil words. A liar pays attention to cruel words. [5] If you make fun of the poor, you insult God, who made them. If you laugh at someone's trouble, you will be punished. [6] Grandchildren are the reward of old people. And children are proud of their parents. [7] Foolish people should not be proud. And rulers should not be liars! [8] A person might think he can pay people and they will do anything he asks. He thinks it will succeed every time. [9] Whoever forgives someone's sin makes a friend. But the one who tells about the sin breaks up friendships. [10] A wise man will learn more from a warning than a foolish person will learn from 100 lashings. [11] A disobedient person is only looking for trouble. So a cruel messenger will be sent against him. [12] It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to meet a foolish person doing foolish things. [13] If a person gives evil in return for good, his house will always be full of trouble. [14] Starting a quarrel is like a leak in a dam. So stop the quarrel before a fight breaks out. [15] The Lord hates both these things: letting guilty people go free and punishing those who are not guilty. [16] It won't do a fool any good to try to buy wisdom. He doesn't really want to be wise. [17] A friend loves you all the time. A brother is always there to help you. [18] It is not wise to promise to pay what your neighbor owes. [19] Whoever loves to quarrel loves to sin. Whoever is proud is asking for trouble. [20] A person with an evil heart will find no success. And the person whose words are evil will get into trouble. [21] It is sad to have a foolish son. There is no joy in being the father of a fool. [22] A happy heart is like good medicine. But a broken spirit drains your strength. [23] A wicked person secretly accepts money to do wrong. Then there will be no fairness. [24] The person with understanding looks for wisdom. But a foolish person lets his mind wander everywhere. [25] A foolish son makes his father sad. And he causes his mother great sorrow. [26] It is not good to punish those who have done what is right. Nor is it good to punish leaders for being honest. [27] The person who has knowledge says very little. And a person with understanding stays calm. [28] Even a foolish person seems to be wise if he keeps quiet. He appears to have understanding if he doesn't speak.