²⁷ A worthless man digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.^(A)

²⁸ A contrary man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.^(B)

²⁹ A violent man lures his neighbor,^(C)
leading him in a way that is not good.^(D)

³⁰ The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.^(E)

⁴ A wicked person listens to malicious talk;^[a]
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

⁹ Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,^(A)
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.^(B)

¹⁹ One who loves to offend loves strife;^(A)
one who builds a high threshold invites injury.

²⁰ One with a twisted mind will not succeed,
and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.^(B)

²⁴ Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,
but a fool’s eyes^(A) roam to the ends of the earth.

18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound judgment.

² A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.^[a](A)

²³ The poor man pleads,^(A)
but the rich one answers roughly.^(B)

⁴ Wealth attracts many friends,^(A)
but a poor man is separated from his friend.

⁶ Many seek a ruler’s favor,^(A)
and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.^(B)