16
Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?
17
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
18
A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend.
19
He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.
20
He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.
21
He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
22
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
23
A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.
24
Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on 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 princes for their uprightness.