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27 Scoundrels concoct evil,
    and their speech is like a scorching fire.(A)
28 A perverse person spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.(B)
29 The violent entice their neighbors
    and lead them in a way that is not good.(C)
30 One who winks the eyes plans[a] perverse things;
    one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.

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Footnotes

  1. 16.30 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb to plan

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

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

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

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One who forgives an affront fosters friendship,
    but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.(A)

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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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19 One who loves transgression loves strife;
    one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.(A)
20 The crooked of mind do not prosper,
    and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.(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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24 The discerning person looks to wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool to the ends of the earth.(A)

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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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18 The one who lives alone is self-indulgent,
    showing contempt for all sound judgment.[a]
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
    but only in expressing personal opinion.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 18.1 Meaning of Heb uncertain

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

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

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Wealth brings many friends,
    but the poor are left friendless.(A)

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

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Many seek the favor of the generous,
    and everyone is a friend to a giver of gifts.(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 proclaim themselves loyal,
    but who can find one worthy of trust?(A)

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

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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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14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
    then goes away and boasts.

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

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19 A gossip reveals secrets;
    therefore do not associate with a babbler.(A)

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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