1 B etter is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting strife.

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

3 T he fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.

The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

4 T he evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; And a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.

5 W hoso mocketh a poor reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.

Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

6 C hildren's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.

7 E xcellent speech becometh not a vile; how much less do lying lips a noble!

Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.

A bribe is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9 H e that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

10 A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.

11 A n evil seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12 L et a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.

13 W hoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

14 T he beginning of contention is when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

15 H e that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

16 T o what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing hath no sense?

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?

17 T he friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.

A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

19 H e loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.

He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.

20 H e that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.

He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

21 H e that begetteth a fool to his sorrow, and the father of a vile hath no joy.

He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.

22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

23 A wicked taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.

A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.

24 W isdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Wisdom is before the face of him that hath 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 that bore him.

A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.

26 T o punish a righteous is not good, nor to strike nobles because of uprightness.

Also to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to smite the noble for their uprightness.

27 H e that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.

He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

28 E ven a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.