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Proverbs / Relations and Righteousness: Peace, Speech, and Integrity
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Introduction: The Purpose of Proverbs and the Fear of the Lord Warning Against Enticement by Sinners Wisdom's Public Call and the Folly of Rejection The Value of Wisdom and Its Protection Trusting God and Walking in Wisdom A Father's Exhortation to Hold Fast to Wisdom Warning Against Adultery and a Call to Fidelity Warnings: Surety, Laziness, and Wickedness Obey Parental Commands and the Dangers of Adultery The Example of a Young Man Seduced Wisdom's Proclamation and Blessings Contrasting Invitations of Wisdom and Folly Solomon's Proverbs: Contrasts of Righteousness and Folly Proverbs on Justice, Integrity, and Righteous Living Wise Conduct, Diligence, and Righteous Speech Discipline, Wealth, and the Wise Child Sayings on Wisdom, Folly, and the Fear of the Lord The Power of Speech and the Benefits of Wisdom God's Sovereignty Over Human Plans Relations and Righteousness: Peace, Speech, and Integrity The Power of Words and the Nature of Companionship Advice on Wealth, Conduct, and Discipline Counsel, Justice, and Warnings Against Excess Divine Sovereignty, Justice, and the King's Role Reputation, Generosity, and Child Discipline Sayings of the Wise: Practical Moral Instruction Solomon's Proverbs on Restraint and Leadership Folly and Foolish Behavior in Speech and Deeds Friendship, Counsel, and Practical Wisdom for Life Justice, Righteousness, and the Results of Rebellion Discipline, Leadership, and Social Order The Sayings of Agur: Humility and Observations Advice to King Lemuel and the Virtuous Woman

Relations and Righteousness: Peace, Speech, and Integrity

Proverbs 17:1-28

17
Chapter 17
1 Better is a dry morsel with peace than a house full of sacrifices of strife. 2 A wise servant will rule over a shameful son, and he will divide the inheritance among the brothers. 3 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the tester of hearts is the LORD. 4 He listens to evil from the lip of iniquity; a lie nourishes on a tongue of destruction. 5 To scorn the wicked mocks its maker; one who joys in calamity will not be cleared. 6 Crown of the elders, sons of sons, and glory of sons, their fathers. 7 Lips of excess are not fitting for a fool—even for a noble, lips of falsehood. 8 A stone of favor is the bribe in the eyes of its owner; to all that he turns, he succeeds. 9 One who covers a transgression seeks love, but one who repeats a matter separates a close friend. 10 A rebuke to one who understands is better than a hundred strokes to a fool. 11 But rebellion seeks moral evil, and a cruel angel will be sent against him. 12 Meet a bereaved bear, a man, and not a fool in his folly. 13 One returning evil in place of good—evil will not depart from his house. 14 Letting out waters is the beginning of strife, and before the quarrel breaks out, it is abandoned. 15 One who justifies a wicked person and one who condemns a righteous person—an abomination to the LORD, both of them. 16 Why this price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no heart? 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for distress. 18 A man lacking heart strikes palm surety for his companion. 19 He who loves transgression loves strife; he who heightens his door seeks breakage. 20 One crooked of heart will not find good, and one turned in his tongue will fall in evil. 21 He who fathers a fool brings grief to himself, and the father of a scoundrel does not rejoice. 22 A joyful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23 He takes a bribe from the palm of a wicked one to pervert paths of judgment. 24 The face of wisdom is in the midst, but the eyes of the fool are at the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son is a provocation to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him. 26 It is also not good to strike the righteous; it is liable to pay nobles on upright. 27 He who restrains his words knows knowledge; and he who is precious of spirit has understanding. 28 Even a fool who keeps silent is reckoned wise, one who silences his lips discerning.