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.

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27 Scoundrels concoct evil,
    and their speech is like a scorching fire.(A)
28 A perverse person spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.(B)
29 The violent entice their neighbors
    and lead them in a way that is not good.(C)
30 One who winks the eyes plans[a] perverse things;
    one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.

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Footnotes

  1. 16.30 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb to plan

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

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An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.

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

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One who forgives an affront fosters friendship,
    but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.(A)

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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.

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19 One who loves transgression loves strife;
    one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.(A)
20 The crooked of mind do not prosper,
    and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.(B)

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

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24 The discerning person looks to wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool to the ends of the earth.(A)

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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)

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18 The one who lives alone is self-indulgent,
    showing contempt for all sound judgment.[a]
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
    but only in expressing personal opinion.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 18.1 Meaning of Heb uncertain

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

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23 The poor use entreaties,
    but the rich answer roughly.(A)

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

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Wealth brings many friends,
    but the poor are left friendless.(A)

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

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Many seek the favor of the generous,
    and everyone is a friend to a giver of gifts.(A)

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

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Many proclaim themselves loyal,
    but who can find one worthy of trust?(A)

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

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A king who sits on the throne of judgment
    winnows all evil with his eyes.

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

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14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
    then goes away and boasts.

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

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19 A gossip reveals secrets;
    therefore do not associate with a babbler.(A)

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