1 Better is a dry morsel in peace than the house of contention full of sacrifices for a feast. 2 A prudent slave shall have rule over a son that causes shame and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. 3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tries the hearts. 4 An evil doer gives heed to false lips, and a liar gives ear to the tongue which curses. 5 Whosoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker, and he that is glad regarding the calamity of someone else shall not go unpunished. 6 Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the honour of the children are their fathers. 7 Excellent speech is not suitable for a fool: much less lying lips for a prince! 8 A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that has it; wherever it turns, it prospers. 9 He that covers a transgression seeks love, but he that repeats a matter separates very friends. 10 Reproof is of more benefit to a wise man than a hundred stripes to a fool. 11 The rebellious man seeks only evil; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. 13 Whosoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 14 To release the waters (to speak rashly) is the beginning of contention; therefore, leave off strife before it gets started. 15 He that justifies the wicked and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. 16 Of what good is the price to buy wisdom in the hand of the fool, seeing he has no heart to understand? 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18 A man void of understanding strikes hands and becomes surety in the presence of his friend. 19 Transgression loves him that loves strife, and he that exalts his gate seeks destruction. 20 He that has a perverse heart shall never find good, and he that stirs up trouble with his tongue shall fall into evil. 21 He that begets a fool does it to his sorrow, and the father of a fool shall have no joy. 22 A joyful heart shall do good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. 23 A wicked man takes a gift in secret to pervert the paths of judgment. 24 Wisdom appears upon the countenance of him that has understanding, but the eyes of a fool manifest his folly unto the ends of the earth. 25 The foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her that bore him. 26 It is certainly not good to condemn the just, nor to smite princes for doing that which is upright. 27 He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Even a fool, when he is silent is counted wise, and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.