Proverbs 17:1-14

It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace than to have a feast where there is quarreling. A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful child and will even inherit a share of what the master leaves his children. A hot furnace tests silver and gold, but the LORD tests hearts. Evil people listen to evil words. Liars pay attention to cruel words. Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker; whoever enjoys someone’s trouble will be punished. Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents. Fools should not be proud, and rulers should not be liars. Some people think they can pay others to do anything they ask. They think it will work every time. Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend, but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships. A wise person will learn more from a warning than a fool will learn from a hundred lashings. Disobedient people look only for trouble, so a cruel messenger will be sent against them. It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to meet a fool doing foolish things. Whoever gives evil in return for good will always have trouble at home. Starting a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before a fight breaks out.