27 A scoundrel(A) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(B)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(C)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(D)

29 A violent person entices their neighbor
    and leads them down a path that is not good.(E)

30 Whoever winks(F) with their eye is plotting perversity;
    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

Read full chapter

27 A worthless person digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.(A)

28 A contrary person spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.(B)

29 A violent person lures his neighbor,(C)
leading him on a path that is not good.(D)

30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.(E)

Read full chapter

A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
    a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

Read full chapter

A wicked person listens to malicious talk;[a]
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 17:4 Lit to lips of iniquity

Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(A)
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(B)

Read full chapter

Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,(A)
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.(B)

Read full chapter

19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
    whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
    one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

Read full chapter

19 One who loves to offend loves strife;(A)
one who builds a high threshold invites injury.

20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed,
and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.(B)

Read full chapter

24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
    but a fool’s eyes(A) wander to the ends of the earth.

Read full chapter

24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,
but a fool’s eyes(A) roam to the ends of the earth.

Read full chapter

18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
    and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding
    but delight in airing their own opinions.(A)

Read full chapter

18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound wisdom.

A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.[a](A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 18:2 Lit to uncover his heart

23 The poor plead for mercy,
    but the rich answer harshly.

Read full chapter

23 The poor person pleads,(A)
but the rich one answers roughly.(B)

Read full chapter

Wealth attracts many friends,
    but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.(A)

Read full chapter

Wealth attracts many friends,(A)
but a poor person is separated from his friend.

Read full chapter

Many curry favor with a ruler,(A)
    and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.(B)

Read full chapter

Many seek a ruler’s favor,(A)
and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.(B)

Read full chapter

Many claim to have unfailing love,
    but a faithful person who can find?(A)

Read full chapter

Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy person?(A)

Read full chapter

When a king sits on his throne to judge,(A)
    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.(B)

Read full chapter

A king sitting on a throne to judge
separates out all evil with his eyes.(A)

Read full chapter

14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
    then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

Read full chapter

14 “It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.

Read full chapter

19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(A)
    so avoid anyone who talks too much.

Read full chapter

19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;(A)
avoid someone with a big mouth.(B)

Read full chapter