Proverbs, Chapter 17

(1) Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. (2) A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. (3) The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. (4) A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. (5) Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. (6) Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. (7) Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. (8) A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. (9) He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. (10) A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. (11) An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. (12) Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. (13) Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. (14) The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. (15) He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. (16) Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? (17) A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (18) A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. (19) He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. (20) He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. (21) He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. (22) A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (23) A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. (24) Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. (25) A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. (26) Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. (27) He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. (28) Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

A Random Prayer...

Holy Guardian Angels (Feast, October 2)

Dear Angel at my side, my good and loyal friend, you have been with me since the moment I was born. You are my own personal guardian, given me by God as my guide and protector, and you will stay with me till I die. He who created you and me gave me to you as your particular charge. You assisted in great joy at my baptism, when I became part of the Mystical Body of Christ, and was made a member of the household of God and an heir of heaven. You saw the dangers that beset my path, and, if I sinned, it was in spite of you. You envied me when Christ came to me in Holy Communion. Even though you probably were there among the angels that adored Him the night that He was born, you have not been able to receive Him as I can. O, help me to appreciate these gifts! Help me to realize, as you do, with every fiber of my being, that to serve Christ is to be a King! Help me steadfastly to avoid evil and do good and always guard my soul from sin. Protect me as well from physical evils as I go about my daily work. You will be with me all my life, and at the hour of my death. Help me to face death bravely, patiently, with great love of God, knowing that it is only through death that I can come to Him in heaven! Then, come with me to my Judge, and when the hour of my salvation comes, take me home to my Father, God. Amen.

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