Proverbs 17:1-28 NIrV

[1] It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace and quiet than to eat a big dinner in a house full of fighting. [2] A wise servant will rule over a shameful child. He will be given part of the property as if he were a family member. [3] Fire tests silver, and heat tests gold. But the LORD tests our hearts. [4] Evil people listen to lies. Lying people listen to evil. [5] Anyone who laughs at those who are poor makes fun of their Maker. Anyone who is happy when others suffer will be punished. [6] Grandchildren are like a crown to older people. And children are proud of their parents. [7] Fancy words don’t belong in the mouths of ungodly fools. And lies certainly don’t belong in the mouths of rulers! [8] Those who give money think it will buy them favors. They think that no matter where they turn, they will succeed. [9] Whoever wants to show love forgives a wrong. But those who talk about it separate close friends. [10] A person who understands what is right learns more from just a warning than a foolish person learns from 100 strokes with a whip. [11] An evil person tries to keep others from obeying God. The messenger of death will be sent against them. [12] It is better to meet a bear whose cubs have been stolen than to meet a foolish person who is acting foolishly. [13] Evil will never leave the house of anyone who pays back evil for good. [14] Starting to argue is like making a crack in a dam. So drop the matter before a fight breaks out. [15] The LORD hates two things. He hates it when the guilty are set free. He also hates it when those who aren’t guilty are punished. [16] Why should a foolish person try to buy wisdom? They are not even able to understand it. [17] A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes. [18] A person who has no sense agrees to pay what other people owe. It isn’t wise to promise to pay other people’s bills. [19] The one who loves to argue loves to sin. The one who builds a high gate is just asking to be destroyed. [20] If your heart is twisted, you won’t succeed. If your tongue tells lies, you will get into trouble. [21] It is sad to have a foolish child. The parents of a godless fool have no joy. [22] A cheerful heart makes you healthy. But a broken spirit dries you up. [23] Anyone who does wrong accepts favors in secret. Then they turn what is right into what is wrong. [24] Anyone who understands what is right keeps wisdom in view. But the eyes of a foolish person look everywhere else. [25] A foolish child makes his father sad and his mother sorry. [26] It isn’t good to fine those who aren’t guilty. So it certainly isn’t good to whip officials just because they are honest. [27] Anyone who has knowledge controls their words. Anyone who has understanding is not easily upset. [28] We think even foolish people are wise if they keep silent. We think they understand what is right if they control their tongues.