Proverbs 17:5-14

Christian Standard Bible

⁵ The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,^(A)
and one who rejoices over calamity
will not go unpunished.^(B)

⁶ Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,
and the pride of children is their fathers.

⁷ Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.

⁸ A bribe^(C) seems like a magic stone to its owner;
wherever he turns, he succeeds.^(D)

⁹ Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,^(E)
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.^(F)

¹⁰ A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person
more than a hundred lashes into a fool.

¹¹ An evil person desires only rebellion;
a cruel messenger^[a](G) will be sent against him.

¹² Better for a person to meet a bear robbed of her cubs^(H)
than a fool in his foolishness.

¹³ If anyone returns evil for good,^(I)
evil will never depart from his house.^(J)

¹⁴ To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.^(K)