[1] Better a bit of dry bread in peace, than a house full of feasting and
violent behaviour. [2] A servant who does wisely will have rule over a son
causing shame, and will have his part in the heritage among brothers. [3]
The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is
the tester of hearts. [4] A wrongdoer gives attention to evil lips, and a
man of deceit gives ear to a damaging tongue. [5] Whoever makes sport of
the poor puts shame on his Maker; and he who is glad because of trouble
will not go free from punishment. [6] Children's children are the crown of
old men, and the glory of children is their fathers. [7] Fair words are not
to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.
[8] An offering of money is like a stone of great price in the eyes of him
who has it: wherever he goes, he does well. [9] He who keeps a sin covered
is looking for love; but he who keeps on talking of a thing makes division
between friends. [10] A word of protest goes deeper into one who has sense
than a hundred blows into a foolish man. [11] An uncontrolled man is only
looking for trouble, so a cruel servant will be sent against him. [12] It
is better to come face to face with a bear whose young ones have been taken
away than with a foolish man acting foolishly. [13] If anyone gives back
evil for good, evil will never go away from his house. [14] The start of
fighting is like the letting out of water: so give up before it comes to
blows. [15] He who gives a decision for the evil-doer and he who gives a
decision against the upright, are equally disgusting to the Lord. [16] How
will money in the hand of the foolish get him wisdom, seeing that he has no
sense? [17] A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times
of trouble. [18] A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and
makes himself responsible before his neighbour. [19] The lover of fighting
is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for
destruction. [20] Nothing good comes to him whose heart is fixed on evil
purposes: and he who has an evil tongue will come to trouble. [21] He who
has an unwise son gets sorrow for himself, and the father of a foolish son
has no joy. [22] A glad heart makes a healthy body, but a crushed spirit
makes the bones dry. [23] A sinner takes an offering out of his robe, to
get a decision for himself in a cause. [24] Wisdom is before the face of
him who has sense; but the eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the
earth. [25] A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitter pain to her
who gave him birth. [26] To give punishment to the upright is not good, or
to give blows to the noble for their righteousness. [27] He who has
knowledge says little: and he who has a calm spirit is a man of good sense.
[28] Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when
his lips are shut he is credited with good sense.
