Proverbs 17:3–13

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.