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23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel
    are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
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.

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23 Like the glaze[a] covering an earthen vessel
    are smooth[b] lips with an evil heart.
24 An enemy dissembles in speaking
    while harboring deceit within;(A)
25 when an enemy speaks graciously, do not believe it,
    for there are seven abominations concealed within;(B)
26 though hatred is covered with guile,
    the enemy’s wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 26.23 Cn: Heb silver of dross
  2. 26.23 Gk: Heb burning

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked;
    but those who keep the law contend with them.

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Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
    but those who keep the law struggle against them.(A)

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The righteous care about justice for the poor.
    The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.

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The righteous know the rights of the poor;
    the wicked have no such understanding.(A)

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12 If a ruler listens to lies,
    all of his officials are wicked.

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12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be wicked.

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