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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:4 Lit to lips of iniquity

A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
    a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

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Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.

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Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(A)

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

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20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
    one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

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27 The intelligent person restrains his words,(A)
and one who keeps a cool head[a]
is a man of understanding.

28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent,
discerning when he seals his lips.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:27 Lit spirit

27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(A)
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(B)

28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.(C)

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