²³ Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

²⁴ He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;
^25 (A)When ^[a]he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart;
²⁶ Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

^4 (A)Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
^(B)But such as keep the law contend with them.

⁷ The righteous ^(A)considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.

¹² If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.