Chapter 17

  Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.  

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  A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.  

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  The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.  

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  An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.  

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  Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [And] he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.  

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  Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.  

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  Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.  

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  A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.  

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  He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.  

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  A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.  

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  An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.  

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

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

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  The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.  

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  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.  

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  Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?  

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  A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.  

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  A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.  

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  He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.  

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  He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.  

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  He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.  

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  A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.  

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  A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.  

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  Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.  

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  A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.  

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  Also to punish the righteous is not good, [Nor] to smite the noble for [their] uprightness.  

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  He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.  

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  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.  

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