23 Like an earthenware (A)vessel overlaid with silver [a](B)impurities
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 One who (C)hates disguises it with his lips,
But he harbors (D)deceit in his [b]heart.
25 When [c]he (E)speaks graciously, do not believe him,
Because there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred (F)covers itself with deception,
His wickedness will be (G)revealed in the assembly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:23 Lit dross
  2. Proverbs 26:24 Lit inward part
  3. Proverbs 26:25 Lit his voice is gracious

23 Smooth[a] words may hide a wicked heart,
    just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.

24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,
    but they’re deceiving you.
25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.
    Their hearts are full of many evils.[b]
26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,
    their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.

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Footnotes

  1. 26:23 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads Burning.
  2. 26:25 Hebrew seven evils.

Those who abandon the Law (A)praise the wicked,
But those who keep the Law (B)strive against them.

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To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
    to obey the law is to fight them.

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The (A)righteous [a]is concerned for the rights of the poor;
The wicked does not understand such [b]concern.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:7 Lit knows the cause
  2. Proverbs 29:7 Lit knowledge

The godly care about the rights of the poor;
    the wicked don’t care at all.

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12 If a (A)ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.

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12 If a ruler pays attention to liars,
    all his advisers will be wicked.

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