1 BETTER is dry bread, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A wise servant shall rule over a son who causes shame, and shall share the inheritance among the brothers.

3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold; but the LORD tries the heart.

4 A wicked man listens to perverse lips; but a righteous man does not heed the tongues of vicious men.

5 He who mocks the poor provokes his Maker; and he who is glad at calamity shall not be forgiven.

6 Children's children are the crowns of old men; and the glory of children is their fathers.

7 Excellent speech is unbecoming to a fool, and lying lips to a righteous man.

8 A precious stone is beautiful in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns it is admired.

9 He who forgets an offense seeks friendship; but he who hates to forget an offense estranges himself from a friend and neighbor.

10 A threat breaks the heart of a wise man; but the fool instead of a rebuke receives a scourging, and yet he is not conscious of it.

11 A quarrelsome man seeks mischief; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12 Meditation and reverence are suitable for a wise man; but a fool meditates in his folly.

13 He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14 He who sheds blood stirs up judgment before the ruler.

15 He who justifies the wicked and condemns the just is an abomination before the LORD.

16 What good is wealth in the possession of a fool who has no desire to acquire wisdom?

17 A friend loves at all times; but a brother is born for adversity.

18 A foolish man pledges himself, for he becomes surety for his friend.

19 He who loves iniquity loves deceit and strife; and he who exalts himself seeks destruction.

20 He who slanders in heart will not find good; and he who has an evil tongue falls into mischief.

21 He who begets a fool does it to his own shame; his father will have no joy in him.

22 A merry heart makes the body healthy; but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

23 He who accepts a bribe is wicked; for he perverts the way of justice.

24 The face of a man of understanding is set toward wisdom; but the eyes of a fool are in the depths of the earth.

25 A foolish son provokes his father, and is bitterness to her who bore him.

26 To punish the just is not good, nor to scourge the righteous men who speak the truth.

27 He who spares his words has knowledge; and he who is patient is a wise man.

28 Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; and he who shuts his lips is counted a man of understanding.