⁴ Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
    liars pay close attention to slander.

²⁰ The crooked heart will not prosper;
    the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

19 Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and a fool.

¹⁸ Just as damaging
    as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
¹⁹ is someone who lies to a friend
    and then says, “I was only joking.”

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