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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 man of wickedness concocts evil,
    and his lips are like a scorching fire.
28 A person of perversity will spread dissent,
    and he who whispers separates a close friend.
29 A person of violence will entice his neighbor
    and cause him to walk on a way that is not good.
30 He who winks his eyes does so in order to plan perverse things;
    he who purses his lips will bring evil to pass.

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

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He who does evil listens to lips of wickedness,
    and the liar gives heed to the tongue of mischief.

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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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He who forgives an affront fosters love,
    but he who waits on a matter will alienate a friend.

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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 He who loves transgression loves strife;
    he who builds his high thresholds seeks destruction.
20 He who is crooked of heart[a] will not find goodness,
    and he who is perverse, by his tongue he will fall into calamity.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:20 Or “mind”

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 He who understands sets his face toward wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool, to the end of the earth.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:24 Or “land”

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 He who is selfish seeks a craving;[a]
    against all sound judgment he shows contempt.
A fool will not take pleasure in understanding,
    but in expressing his heart.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:1 Or “boundary”
  2. Proverbs 18:2 Or “mind”

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

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23 The poor may speak entreaties,
    but the rich will answer roughly.

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

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Wealth adds many friends,
    but the poor will be left by his friends.

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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 will seek favor before the generous,
    and everyone is the friend of a man of gifts.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:6 Hebrew “gift”

Many proclaim themselves loyal,
    but who can find one worthy of trust?(A)

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Many a person will proclaim his loyalty for himself,
    but a man who is trustworthy, 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 king who sits on the throne of judgment
    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,” the buyer will say,
    but when one goes to him, then he will boast.

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

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19 He reveals a secret, he who walks about with gossip,
    and do not associate with a babbler’s lips.

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