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.
31 (I)Gray hair is (J)a crown of glory;
    it (K)is gained in a righteous life.
32 (L)Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 (M)The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is (N)from the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:27 Hebrew what is on his lips
  2. Proverbs 16:30 Hebrew to plan

27 A scoundrel(A) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(B)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(C)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(D)

29 A violent person entices their neighbor
    and leads them down a path that is not good.(E)

30 Whoever winks(F) with their eye is plotting perversity;
    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;(G)
    it is attained in the way of righteousness.

32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
    one with self-control than one who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast(H) into the lap,
    but its every decision(I) is from the Lord.(J)

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