A wicked person listens to malicious talk;[a]
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

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Footnotes

  1. 17:4 Lit to lips of iniquity

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

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Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.

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Excess speech is not becoming to a fool;
    still less is false speech to a ruler.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 17.7 Or a noble

20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed,
and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.(A)

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20 The crooked of mind do not prosper,
    and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.(A)

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27 The one who has knowledge restrains his words,(A)
and one who keeps a cool head[a]
is a person of understanding.

28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent—
discerning, when he seals his lips.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 17:27 Lit spirit

27 One who spares words is knowledgeable;
    one who is cool in spirit has understanding.(A)
28 Even fools who keep silent are considered wise;
    when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.(B)

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