²³ Smooth^[a] lips with an evil heart
are like glaze on an earthen vessel.^(A)
24 A hateful person disguises himself with his speech
and harbors deceit within.
²⁵ When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him,
for there are seven detestable things in his heart.^(B)
26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception,
his evil will be revealed in the assembly.

⁴ Those who reject the law praise the wicked,^(A)
but those who keep the law pit themselves against them.^(B)

⁷ The righteous person knows the rights^[a] of the poor,^(A)
but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.

¹² If a ruler listens to lies,^(A)
all his officials will be wicked.