Chapter text
World English Bible
Verse-by-verse text with stable anchors, canonical chapter URLs, and copyable verse links.
- 1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
- 2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
- 3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
- 4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
- 5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
- 6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.
- 7 Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
- 8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
- 9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
- 10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
- 11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
- 12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
- 13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
- 14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
- 15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
- 16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
- 17 A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
- 18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
- 19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
- 20 One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
- 21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
- 22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
- 23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
- 24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
- 25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
- 26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
- 27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
- 28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.