7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,
Much less lying lips to a prince.

8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

9 ^aHe who covers a transgression seeks love,
But ^bhe who repeats a matter separates friends. ‡

10 ^aRebuke is more effective for a wise man
Than a hundred blows on a fool. ‡

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 Let a man meet ^aa bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly. ‡

13 Whoever ^arewards evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house. ‡

14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
Therefore ^astop contention before a quarrel starts. ‡

15 ^aHe who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. ‡

16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,
Since he has no heart for it?

17 ^aA friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity. ‡

18 ^aA man devoid of¹ understanding shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes¹ surety for his friend. ‡

19 He who loves transgression loves strife,
And ^ahe who exalts his gate seeks destruction. ‡

20 He who has a¹ deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has ^aa perverse tongue falls into evil. ‡

21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.