Proverbs 17:4-14

4 Evil people listen to evil words. Liars pay attention to cruel words.
5 Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker; whoever enjoys someone's trouble will be punished.
6 Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
7 Fools should not be proud, and rulers should not be liars.
8 Some people think they can pay others to do anything they ask. They think it will work every time.
9 Whoever forgives someone's sin makes a friend, but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships.
10 A wise person will learn more from a warning than a fool will learn from a hundred lashings.
11 Disobedient people look only for trouble, so a cruel messenger will be sent against them.
12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to meet a fool doing foolish things.
13 Whoever gives evil in return for good will always have trouble at home.
14 Starting a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before a fight breaks out.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.