Proverbs 17:1-28 NCV

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