1Better [is] a dry morsel in peace than the house of contention full of sacrifices [for a feast]. 2A prudent servant shall have rule over a son that causes 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 tries the hearts. 4An evil doer gives heed to false lips, [and] a liar gives ear to the tongue which curses. 5Whosoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker, [and] he that is glad regarding the calamity [of someone else] shall not go unpunished. 6Children's children [are] the crown of old men, and the honour of the children [are] their fathers. 7Excellent speech is not suitable for a fool: much less lying lips for a prince! 8A bribe [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that has it; wherever it turns, it prospers. 9He that covers a transgression seeks love, but he that repeats a matter separates [very] friends. 10Reproof is of more benefit to a wise man than a hundred stripes to a fool. 11The rebellious [man] seeks only evil; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. 13Whosoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 14To release the [waters (to speak rashly)] is the beginning of contention; therefore, leave off strife before it gets started. 15He that justifies the wicked and he that condemns the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD. 16Of what good is the price to buy wisdom in the hand of the fool, seeing [he has] no heart [to understand]? 17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18A man void of understanding strikes hands [and] becomes surety in the presence of his friend. 19Transgression loves him that loves strife, [and] he that exaltes his gate seeks destruction. 20He that has a perverse heart shall never find good, and he that stirs up [trouble] with his tongue shall fall into evil. 21He that begets a fool [does it] to his sorrow, and the father of a fool shall have no joy. 22A joyful heart shall do good [like] a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. 23A wicked [man] takes a gift in secret to pervert the paths of judgment. 24Wisdom [appears] upon the countenance of him that has understanding, but the eyes of a fool [manifest his folly] unto the ends of the earth. 25The foolish son [is] a grief to his father and bitterness to her that bore him. 26It is certainly not good to condemn the just, nor to smite princes for doing that which is upright. 27He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28Even a fool, when he is silent is counted wise, and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.: