Add parallel Print Page Options

23 ·Kind words [L Smooth lips] from a wicked ·mind [L heart]
are like ·a shiny [silver] coating on a clay pot.

24 Those who hate you may try to ·fool [trick] you with their ·words [L lips],
    but ·in their minds [inside] they ·are planning evil [L set deception].
25 People’s ·words [L voice] may be ·kind [gracious], but don’t believe them,
    because ·their minds are full of evil thoughts [L seven abominations are in their heart; C seven is the number of completion].
26 ·Lies [Trickery; Guile] can ·hide [cover] hate,
    but the evil will be ·plain to everyone [L revealed in the assembly].

Read full chapter

23 
Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]
Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.
24 
He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
But he stores up deceit in his heart.
25 
When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,
For seven abominations are in his heart.
26 
Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit,
His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly.

Read full chapter

Those who ·disobey what they have been taught [forsake/abandon instruction/law] praise the wicked,
but those who ·obey what they have been taught [guard instruction/law] ·are against [battle] them.

Read full chapter


Those who [a]set aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:4 Lit forsake.

·Good [Righteous] people ·care [know] about ·justice for [the rights of] the poor,
but the wicked ·are not concerned [L do not understand].

Read full chapter


The righteous man cares for the rights of the poor,
But the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge.(A)

Read full chapter

12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
all ·his officers [those who serve him] will become wicked [Ps. 101:6–8].

Read full chapter

12 
If a ruler pays attention to lies [and encourages corruption],
All his officials will become wicked.

Read full chapter