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Beware Bribes and Rebellion

17 Better is dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife.

A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance with the brothers.

A crucible is for silver
and a furnace is for gold,
but Adonai tests the heart.

An evildoer listens to wicked lips;
a liar listens to a malicious tongue.

Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker.
Whoever rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly
and the glory of children is their parents.

Arrogant lips are not fitting for a fool,
much less lying lips for a ruler.
A bribe is a charm in the eyes of its owner.
Wherever he turns, he succeeds.

Whoever covers up an offense seeks love.[a]
Whoever repeats a matter separates close friends.

10 A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person
than a hundred lashes on a fool.

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion,
and so a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than to deal with a fool in his folly.

13 Whoever rewards evil for good—
evil will never leave his house.

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water—
so stop a quarrel before it breaks out.

15 Acquitting the wicked and condemning the righteous:
both are an abomination to Adonai.

16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool
since he has no intention of acquiring wisdom?

17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man lacking judgment shakes hands on a deal
and puts up financial security for his neighbor.

19 He who loves sin loves strife.
One who builds a high gate invites destruction.

20 A perverse heart finds nothing good
a devious tongue falls into trouble.

21 Whoever fathers a fool gets grief.
There is no joy for the father of a disgraceful son.

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

23 The wicked one receives a bribe in secret
to pervert the ways of justice.

24 Wisdom is before the person of understanding,
but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is grief to his father
and bitterness to her that bore him.
26 Also, to punish a righteous person is not good,
nor to beat up an honorable one for his integrity.
27 One with knowledge restrains his words,
and a discerning person stays calm.
28 Even a fool, who keeps quiet, is considered wise,
discerning, if he seals his lips.