4
An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5
Whoever mocks the poor 1insults his Maker; he who is 2glad at calamity will not go 3unpunished.
6
4Grandchildren are 5the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
7
Fine speech is not 6becoming to a fool; still less is 7false speech to a prince.
8
8A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
9
Whoever 9covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter 10separates close friends.
10
A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
11
An evil man seeks only rebellion, and 11a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12
Let a man meet 12a she-bear robbed of her cubs 13rather than a fool in his folly.
13
If anyone 14returns evil for good, 15evil will not depart from his house.
14
The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so 16quit before the quarrel breaks out.
15
He who 17justifies the wicked and he who 18condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
16
Why should a fool have money in his hand 19to buy wisdom when he has no sense?
17
20A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18
One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.
19
Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who 21makes his door high seeks destruction.
20
22A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
21
He who 23sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
22
24A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit 25dries up the bones.
23
The wicked accepts 26a bribe in secret to 27pervert the ways of justice.
24
28The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.