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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

27 A worthless person concocts evil gossip[a]
    his lips are like a burning fire.

28 A deceitful man stirs dissension,
    and anyone who gossips separates friends.
29 A violent man entices his companion
    and leads him on a path that is not good.
30 Whoever winks knowingly[b] is plotting[c] deceit;
    anyone who purses his lips is bent towards evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:27 The Heb. lacks gossip
  2. Proverbs 16:30 Lit. with his eyes
  3. Proverbs 16:30 So MT; LXX Syr Targ Vg read winks with his eyes considers

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

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Whoever practices evil pays attention to wicked speech,
    and the liar listens to malicious talk.

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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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Anyone who overlooks[a] an offense promotes love,
    but someone who gossips separates close friends.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:9 Lit. covers

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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19 The person who loves transgression loves strife;
    the person who builds a high gate invites destruction.

20 The person whose mind[a] is perverse does not find good,
    and anyone with perverted speech falls into trouble.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:20 Lit. heart

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

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24 A person with understanding has wisdom as his objective,
    but a fool looks only[a] to earthly goals.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:24 The Heb. lacks only

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

How Fools Talk

18 Whoever isolates himself pursues selfish ends;
he resists all sound advice.

A fool finds no satisfaction in trying to understand,
    for he would rather express his own opinion.

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

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23 The poor person pleads for mercy,
    but the wealthy man responds harshly.

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

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Wealth brings many friends,
    but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

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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 curry favor of an official;
    everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

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

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Many claim “I’m a loyal person!”[a]
    but who can find someone who truly is?

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:6 Lit. claim to be people of gracious love

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

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A king sits on a throne of justice,
    sifting out all sorts of evil with his glance.

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

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14 “This is bad, bad,” says whoever is buying—
    but then he brags as he walks away after the sale.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:14 The Heb. lacks after the sale

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

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19 Whoever spreads gossip betrays confidences;
    so don’t get involved with someone who talks too much.

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