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Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
    liars pay close attention to slander.

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The wicked enjoy fellowship with others who are wicked; liars enjoy liars.

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Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool;
    even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

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Truth from a rebel or lies from a king are both unexpected.

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20 The crooked heart will not prosper;
    the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

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20 An evil man is suspicious of everyone[a] and tumbles into constant trouble.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:20 is suspicious of everyone, or “does not prosper.”

27 A truly wise person uses few words;
    a person with understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;
    with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

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27-28 The man of few words and settled mind is wise; therefore, even a fool is thought to be wise when he is silent. It pays him to keep his mouth shut.

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