Proverbs 17:6-25

Grandchildren are the crown of aged men, And the glory of children is their fathers [who live godly lives]. [Ps 127:3; 128:3] Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind], Much less do lying lips benefit a prince. A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers. He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends. A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spirit Than a hundred lashes into a fool. [Is 32:6] A rebellious man seeks only evil; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Let a man meet a [ferocious] bear robbed of her cubs Rather than the [angry, narcissistic] fool in his folly. [Hos 13:8] Whoever returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. [Ps 109:4, 5; Jer 18:20] The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes]; Therefore abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode. He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous Are both repulsive to the LORD. [Ex 23:7; Prov 24:24; Is 5:23] Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no common sense or even a heart for it? A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. A man lacking common sense gives a pledge And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor. He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome; He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride]. He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil. [James 3:8] He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy. A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. [Prov 12:25; 15:13, 15] A wicked man receives a bribe from the [hidden] pocket To pervert the ways of justice. [Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it], But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief and anguish to his father And bitterness to her who gave birth to him.