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.

⁴ To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
    to obey the law is to fight them.

⁷ The godly care about the rights of the poor;
    the wicked don’t care at all.

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