Proverbs

1Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.

2A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.

3As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.

4The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.

5He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be unpunished.

6Children’s children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.

7Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.

8The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.

9He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.

10A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.

11An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.

12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.

13He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.

15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.

16What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.

17He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.

18A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.

19He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.

20He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.

21A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.

22A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.

23The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.

24Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.

26It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.

27He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.

28Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

1Better a dry morsel in quietnessthan a house full of feastingwith strife.

2A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful sonand share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

3A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold,but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

4A wicked man listens to evil lips;a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

5He who mocks the poor insults their Maker;whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

6Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,and the glory of a son is his father.

7Eloquent words are unfit for a fool;how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

8A bribe is a charm to its giver;wherever he turns, he succeeds.

9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,but he who brings it up separates friends.

10A rebuke cuts into a man of discernmentdeeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

11An evil man seeks only rebellion;a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubsthan a fool in his folly.

13If anyone returns evil for good,evil will never leave his house.

14To start a quarrel is to release a flood;so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.

16Why should the fool have money in his handwith no intention of buying wisdom?

17A friend loves at all times,and a brother is born for adversity.

18A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledgeand puts up security for his neighbor.

19He who loves transgression loves strife;he who builds his gate high invites destruction.

20The one with a perverse heart finds no good,and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

21A man fathers a fool to his own grief;the father of a fool has no joy.

22A joyful heart is good medicine,but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

23A wicked man takes a covert bribeto subvert the course of justice.

24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning,but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son brings grief to his fatherand bitterness to her who bore him.

26It is surely not good to punish the innocentor to flog a noble for his honesty.

27A man of knowledge restrains his words,and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

28Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent,and discerning when he holds his tongue.