^27 (A)A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech^[a] is like ^(B)a scorching fire.
^28 (C)A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and ^(D)a whisperer ^(E)separates close friends.
²⁹ A man of violence ^(F)entices his neighbor
    and leads him in a way that is not good.
³⁰ Whoever winks his eyes plans^{[b] (G)}dishonest things;
    he who ^(H)purses his lips brings evil to pass.

⁴ An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

⁹ Whoever ^(A)covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter ^(B)separates close friends.

¹⁹ Whoever loves transgression loves strife;
    he who ^(A)makes his door high seeks destruction.
^20 (B)A man of crooked heart does not discover good,
    and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

^24 (A)The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

18 Whoever ^(A)isolates himself seeks his own desire;
    he breaks out against all sound judgment.
² A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
    but only ^(B)in expressing his opinion.

²³ The poor use entreaties,
    but ^(A)the rich answer roughly.

^4 (A)Wealth brings many new friends,
    ^(B)but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

⁶ Many seek the favor of a generous man,^[a]
    and everyone is a friend to a man who gives ^(A)gifts.