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.

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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.

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

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

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

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Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(A)
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(B)

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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.

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19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
    whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

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

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

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24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
    but a fool’s eyes(A) wander to the ends of the earth.

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

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18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
    and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding
    but delight in airing their own opinions.(A)

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

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23 The poor plead for mercy,
    but the rich answer harshly.

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

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Wealth attracts many friends,
    but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.(A)

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:6 Or of a noble

Many curry favor with a ruler,(A)
    and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.(B)

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Many a man (A)proclaims his own steadfast love,
    but (B)a faithful man who can find?

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Many claim to have unfailing love,
    but a faithful person who can find?(A)

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(A)A king who sits on the throne of judgment
    (B)winnows all evil with his eyes.

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When a king sits on his throne to judge,(A)
    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.(B)

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14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
    but when he goes away, then he boasts.

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14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
    then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

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19 Whoever (A)goes about slandering reveals secrets;
    therefore do not associate with (B)a simple babbler.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:19 Hebrew with one who is simple in his lips

19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(A)
    so avoid anyone who talks too much.

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