Proverbs

1Better {is} a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices {with} strife. {sacrifices: or, good cheer}

2A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3The fining pot {is} for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; {and} a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: {and} he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. {unpunished: Heb. held innocent}

6Children's children {are} the crown of old men; and the glory of children {are} their fathers.

7Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. {Excellent...: Heb. A lip of excellency} {lying...: Heb. a lip of lying}

8A gift {is as} a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. {a precious...: Heb. a stone of grace}

9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth {very} friends. {seeketh: or, procureth}

10A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. {entereth...: or, aweth more a wise man, than to strike a fool an hundred times}

11An evil {man} seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14The beginning of strife {is as} when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both {are} abomination to the LORD.

16Wherefore {is there} a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing {he hath} no heart {to it}?

17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18A man void of understanding striketh hands, {and} becometh surety in the presence of his friend. {understanding: Heb. heart}

19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: {and} he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. {He that hath a froward...: Heb. The froward of heart}

21He that begetteth a fool {doeth it} to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

22A merry heart doeth good {like} a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. {like: or, to}

23A wicked {man} taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

24Wisdom {is} before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool {are} in the ends of the earth.

25A foolish son {is} a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

26Also to punish the just {is} not good, {nor} to strike princes for equity.

27He that hath knowledge spareth his words: {and} a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. {an...: or, a cool}

28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: {and} he that shutteth his lips {is esteemed} a man of understanding.