1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, Than a house full of feasting with strife.2 A slave who deals wisely will have rule over a son who causes shame, And will have part in the inheritance among the brothers.3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Yahweh tries the hearts.4 An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; [And] he who is glad at calamity will not be unpunished.6 Sons of sons are the crown of old men; And the glory of sons are their fathers.7 Excellent speech does not become a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.8 A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; Wherever it turns, it prospers.9 He who covers a transgression seeks love; But he who harps on a matter separates best friends.10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.13 Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.14 The beginning of strife is [as] when one lets out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are disgusting to Yahweh.16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he has no understanding?17 A companion loves at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.18 [A] man void of understanding strikes hands, And becomes surety in the presence of his fellow man.19 He who loves transgression loves strife: He who raises his gate high seeks destruction.20 He who has a wayward heart finds no good; And he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.21 He who begets a fool [does it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool has no joy.22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit dries up the bones.23 A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.24 Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, [Nor] to strike the noble for [their] uprightness.27 He who spares his words has knowledge; And he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise; When he shuts his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.