⁴ Evil people listen to ·evil words [^Lguilty lips].
Liars pay attention to ·cruel words [^La destructive tongue].

⁷ ·Fools should not be proud [or It is not right for fools to be good speakers],
and ·rulers [honorable people] should not ·be liars [^Lhave lying lips].

²⁰ A person with an ·evil [crooked] heart will find no success,
and the person ·whose words are evil [^Lwho twists matters with their tongue] will get into trouble.

²⁷ The wise ·say very little [restrain/hold back their talk],
and those with understanding stay ·calm [coolheaded].

²⁸ Even fools seem to be wise if they keep quiet;
if they ·don’t speak [^Lkeep their lips shut], they appear to understand.