Proverbs 16:17-17:17 (Vespers, 2nd reading)
- 17
 - The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul.
 - 18
 - Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
 - 19
 - Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
 - 20
 - He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
 - 21
 - The wise in heart will be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increases learning.
 - 22
 - Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.
 - 23
 - The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
 - 24
 - Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
 - 25
 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
 - 26
 - The person who labors, labors for himself, for his hungry mouth drives him on.
 - 27
 - An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire.
 - 28
 - A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.
 - 29
 - A violent man entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
 - 30
 - He winks his eye to devise perverse things; he purses his lips and brings about evil.
 - 31
 - The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.
 - 32
 - He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
 - 33
 - The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
 - 1
 - Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
 - 2
 - A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, and will share an inheritance among the brothers.
 - 3
 - The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts.
 - 4
 - An evildoer gives heed to false lips; a liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.
 - 5
 - He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
 - 6
 - Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.
 - 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
 - He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.
 - 10
 - Rebuke 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 a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
 - 13
 - Whoever rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
 - 14
 - The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.
 - 15
 - He 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
 - A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.