017:014 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out. 017:015 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh. 017:016 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he has no understanding? 017:017 A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. 017:018 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor. 017:019 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction. 017:020 One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble. 017:021 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy. 017:022 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 017:023 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice. 017:024 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth. 017:025 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him. 017:026 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity. 017:027 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding. 017:028 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning. 018:001 An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. 018:002 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. 018:003 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace. 018:004 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. 018:005 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice. 018:006 A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. 018:007 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul. 018:008 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person's innermost parts. 018:009 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction. 018:010 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. 018:011 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. 018:012 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. 018:013 He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. 018:014 A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear? 018:015 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of