Proverbs 17:6-25

Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers. Excellent speech becometh not a fool: Much less do lying lips a prince. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. A reproof entereth more into a wise man Than an hundred stripes into a fool. An evil man seeketh only rebellion: Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, Even they both are abomination to the LORD. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, Seeing he hath no heart to it? A friend loveth at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his friend. He loveth transgression that loveth strife: And he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: And the father of a fool hath no joy. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom To pervert the ways of judgment. Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.