Proverbs 16:24–17:18

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:ae

sweet to the tasteC and health to the body.D,af

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

but its end is the way to death.a

26 A worker’s appetite works for him

because his hungerE urges him on.

27 A worthless person digs up evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire.b

28 A contrary person spreads conflict,

and a gossip separates close friends.c

29 A violent person lures his neighbor,d

leading him on a path that is not good.e

30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;

the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.f

31 Gray hair is a glorious crown;g

it is found in the ways of righteousness.h

32 Patience is better than power,

and controlling one’s emotions,F than capturing a city.i

33 The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the Lord.j

17 Better a dry crust with peace

than a house full of feasting with strife.k

2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son

and share an inheritance among brothers.

3 A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold,l

and the Lord is the tester of hearts.m

4 A wicked person listens to malicious talk;G

a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

5 The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,n

and one who rejoices over calamity

will not go unpunished.o

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,

and the pride of children is their fathers.

7 Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;

how much worse are lies for a ruler.

8 A bribep seems like a magic stone to its owner;

wherever he turns, he succeeds.q

9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,r

but whoever gossips about it separates friends.s

10 A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person

more than a hundred lashes into a fool.

11 An evil person desires only rebellion;

a cruel messengerA,t will be sent against him.

12 Better for a person to meet a bear robbed of her cubsu

than a fool in his foolishness.

13 If anyone returns evil for good,v

evil will never depart from his house.w

14 To start a conflict is to release a flood;

stop the dispute before it breaks out.x

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the justy —

both are detestable to the Lord.

16 Why does a fool have money in his hand

with no intention of buying wisdom?z

17 A friend loves at all times,aa

and a brother is born for a difficult time.

18 One without sense enters an agreementB

and puts up security for his friend.a