24  uGracious words are like va honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and whealth to the body.

25  There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.3

26  A worker’s appetite works for him;

his xmouth urges him on.

27  yA worthless man plots evil,

and his speech4 is like za scorching fire.

28  aA dishonest man spreads strife,

and ba whisperer cseparates close friends.

29  A man of violence dentices his neighbor

and leads him in a way that is not good.

30  Whoever winks his eyes plans5 edishonest things;

he who fpurses his lips brings evil to pass.

31  gGray hair is ha crown of glory;

it iis gained in a righteous life.

32  jWhoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33  kThe lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is lfrom the Lord.

17 mBetter is a dry morsel with quiet

than a house full of feasting1 with strife.

2  A servant who deals wisely will rule over na son who acts shamefully

and owill share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

3  pThe crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

qand the Lord tests hearts.

4  An evildoer listens to wicked lips,

and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

5  Whoever mocks the poor rinsults his Maker;

he who is sglad at calamity will not go tunpunished.

6  uGrandchildren are vthe crown of the aged,

and the glory of children is their fathers.

7  Fine speech is not wbecoming to a fool;

still less is xfalse speech to a prince.

8  yA bribe is like a magic2 stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;

wherever he turns he prospers.

9  Whoever zcovers an offense seeks love,

but he who repeats a matter aseparates close friends.

10  A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding

than a hundred blows into a fool.

11  An evil man seeks only rebellion,

and ba cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12  Let a man meet ca she-bear robbed of her cubs

drather than a fool in his folly.

13  If anyone ereturns evil for good,

fevil will not depart from his house.

14  The beginning of strife is like letting out water,

so gquit before the quarrel breaks out.

15  He who hjustifies the wicked and he who icondemns the righteous

are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

16  Why should a fool have money in his hand jto buy wisdom

when he has no sense?

17  kA friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.

18  One who lacks sense gives a pledge

and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.