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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27 Worthless people dig up trouble;
    their lips are like a scorching fire.
28 Destructive people produce conflict;
    gossips alienate close friends.
29 Violent people entice their neighbors
    and walk them down a path that isn’t good.
30 Those who wink their eye plot destruction;
    those who purse their lips plan evil.

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

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An evildoer pays attention to guilty lips;
    a liar listens to a destructive tongue.

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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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One who seeks love conceals an offense,
    but one who repeats it divides friends.

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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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19 Those who love an offense love a quarrel;
    those who build a high doorway invite a collapse.
20 Those with crooked hearts won’t prosper,
    and those with twisted tongues will fall into trouble.

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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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24 Wisdom is right in front of those with understanding,
    but the eyes of fools are off to the edges of the earth.

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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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18 Unfriendly people look out for themselves;
    they bicker with sensible people.
Fools find no pleasure in understanding,
    but only in expressing their opinion.

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

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23 The poor plead for help,
    but the wealthy answer harshly.

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

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Riches increase one’s friends,
    but the poor lose their friends.

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

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Many seek favor from rulers;
    everyone befriends a gift giver.

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

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Many people will say that they are loyal,
    but who can find a reliable person?

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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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A king who sits on his judgment throne
    sifts out all evil with his eyes.

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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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14 The buyer says, “Bad, bad,”
    but then goes away and brags.

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

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19 Gossips reveal secrets;
    don’t associate with those who talk too much.

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