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27Many have committed sin for gain,^*
   and those who seek to get rich will avert their eyes.
² As a stake is driven firmly into a fissure between stones,
   so sin is wedged in between selling and buying.
³ If a person is not steadfast in the fear of the Lord,
   his house will be quickly overthrown.

Tests in Life

⁴ When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears;
   so do a person’s faults when he speaks.
⁵ The kiln tests the potter’s vessels;
   so the test of a person is in his conversation.
⁶ Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree;
   so a person’s speech discloses the cultivation of his mind.
⁷ Do not praise anyone before he speaks,
   for this is the way people are tested.

Reward and Retribution

⁸ If you pursue justice, you will attain it
   and wear it like a glorious robe.
⁹ Birds roost with their own kind,
   so honesty comes home to those who practise it.
¹⁰ A lion lies in wait for prey;
   so does sin for evildoers.

Varieties of Speech

¹¹ The conversation of the godly is always wise,
   but the fool changes like the moon.
¹² Among stupid people limit your time,
   but among thoughtful people linger on.
¹³ The talk of fools is offensive,
   and their laughter is wantonly sinful.
¹⁴ Their cursing and swearing make one’s hair stand on end,
   and their quarrels make others stop their ears.
¹⁵ The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed,
   and their abuse is grievous to hear.

Betraying Secrets

¹⁶ Whoever betrays secrets destroys confidence,
   and will never find a congenial friend.
¹⁷ Love your friend and keep faith with him;
   but if you betray his secrets, do not follow after him.
¹⁸ For as a person destroys his enemy,
   so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbour.
¹⁹ And as you allow a bird to escape from your hand,
   so you have let your neighbour go, and will not catch him again.
²⁰ Do not go after him, for he is too far off,
   and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare.
²¹ For a wound may be bandaged,
   and there is reconciliation after abuse,
   but whoever has betrayed secrets is without hope.

Hypocrisy and Retribution

²² Whoever winks the eye plots mischief,
   and those who know him will keep their distance.
²³ In your presence his mouth is all sweetness,
   and he admires your words;
but later he will twist his speech
   and with your own words he will trip you up.
²⁴ I have hated many things, but him above all;
   even the Lord hates him.
²⁵ Whoever throws a stone straight up throws it on his own head,
   and a treacherous blow opens up many wounds.
²⁶ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
   and whoever sets a snare will be caught in it.
²⁷ If a person does evil, it will roll back upon him,
   and he will not know where it came from.
²⁸ Mockery and abuse issue from the proud,
   but vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion.
²⁹ Those who rejoice in the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare,
   and pain will consume them before their death.

Anger and Vengeance

³⁰ Anger and wrath, these also are abominations,
   yet a sinner holds on to them.