New American Standard Bible

Proverbs 17:18-28 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

18. A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.

19. He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.

20. He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.

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

22. A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

23. A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice.

24. Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25. A foolish son is a grief to his father And bitterness to her who bore him.

26. It is also not good to fine the righteous, Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

27. He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

28. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.