Proverbs 16:24–17:18

24Pleasant words are as a honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,

But the end thereof are the ways of death.

26The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him;

For his mouth urgeth him thereto.

27A worthless man deviseth mischief;

And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

28A perverse man scattereth abroad strife;

And a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29A man of violence enticeth his neighbor,

And leadeth him in a way that is not good.

30He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise perverse things:

He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

31The hoary head is a crown of glory;

It shall be found in the way of righteousness.

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;

And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap;

But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.

17 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith,

Than a house full of feasting with strife.

2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame,

And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold;

But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips;

And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker;

And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

6Children’s children are the crown of old men;

And the glory of children are their fathers.

7Excellent speech becometh not a fool;

Much less do lying lips a prince.

8A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it;

Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;

But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

10A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding

Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

11An evil man seeketh only rebellion;

Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man,

Rather than a fool in his folly.

13Whoso rewardeth evil for good,

Evil shall not depart from his house.

14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water:

Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous,

Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,

Seeing he hath no understanding?

17A friend loveth at all times;

And a brother is born for adversity.

18A man void of understanding striketh hands,

And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.