1 ¶ A bite of dry bread eaten in peace, is better than an house full of feasting with strife.

2 ¶ A wise servant will have authority over a son who brings disgrace, and will have a share of the inheritance among the brothers.

3 ¶ The crucible is for silver, and the smelter for gold: but the LORD tests the hearts of men.

4 ¶ An evildoer listens to wicked talk; and a liar pays attention to a slanderous tongue.

5 ¶ Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker: and he who rejoices at calamities will not escape punishment.

6 ¶ Children’s children are the crown of old men; and parents are the glory of their children.

7 ¶ Excellent speech is out of character for a fool: how much more is lying out of character for a ruler.

8 ¶ A bribe is like a precious stone in the eyes of the one who has it: no matter how you look at it, he comes out ahead.

9 ¶ Whoever keeps quiet about a wrong promotes good will; but he who gossips about it separates friends.

10 ¶ A rebuke has more effect on a wise man than an hundred lashes on a fool.

11 ¶ An evil man seeks only trouble: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 ¶ It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs, than a fool in his folly.

13 ¶ Evil will never depart from the house, of a man who pays back evil for good.

14 ¶ Starting an argument is like opening a floodgate: therefore stop a dispute, before it breaks out.

15 ¶ He who exonerates the wicked, and he that condemns the innocent, are both an abomination to the LORD.

16 ¶ Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom, seeing he has no heart for it?

17 ¶ A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born to share trouble.

18 ¶ A man devoid of understanding shakes hands, and guarantees a debt in the presence of his neighbor.

19 ¶ He who loves argument loves sin: and he who opens wide his mouth invites destruction.

20 ¶ He who has a perverse heart will not find happiness: and he who has a malicious tongue will get into trouble.

21 ¶ He who fathers a fool does it to his sorrow: and the parent of a fool has no joy.

22 ¶ A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.

23 ¶ A wicked man secretly takes a bribe to subvert the ways of justice.

24 ¶ Wisdom is right in front of the man who has understanding; but the eyes of a fool cannot find it anywhere on earth.

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

26 ¶ It is not right to punish the innocent, or to strike princes for equity.

27 ¶ He who has knowledge controls his tongue: and a man of understanding keeps a cool head.

28 Even a fool is regarded as wise, when he says nothing: and a man of understanding when he keeps his mouth shut.