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10 As an archer who wounds all,
    so is he who hires a fool
    or he who hires those who pass by.

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10 An employer who hires a fool or a bystander
    is like an archer who shoots at random.

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24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips,
    but he harbors evil in his heart.
25 When his speech is charming, don’t believe him,
    for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 His malice may be concealed by deception,
    but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it.
    Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts;
    and a flattering mouth works ruin.

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24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,
    but they’re deceiving you.
25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.
    Their hearts are full of many evils.[a]
26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,
    their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.

27 If you set a trap for others,
    you will get caught in it yourself.
If you roll a boulder down on others,
    it will crush you instead.

28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
    and flattering words cause ruin.

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Footnotes

  1. 26:25 Hebrew seven evils.

The wounds of a friend are faithful,
    although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

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Wounds from a sincere friend
    are better than many kisses from an enemy.

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A man who flatters his neighbor
    spreads a net for his feet.

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To flatter friends
    is to lay a trap for their feet.

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