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27:1  Many have committed sin for gain, and those who seek to get rich will avert their eyes.
27:2  As a stake is driven firmly into a fissure between stones, so sin is wedged in between selling and buying.
27:3  If a person is not steadfast in the fear of the Lord, his house will be quickly overthrown.
27:4  When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears; so does a person’s waste when he speaks.
27:5  The kiln tests the potter’s vessels, and the test of a person is in his conversation.
27:6  Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so does speech the thoughts of the human mind.
27:7  Do not praise anyone before he speaks, for this is the way people are tested.
27:8  If you pursue justice, you will attain it and wear it like a glorious robe.
27:9  Birds roost with their own kind, so honesty comes home to those who practice it.
27:10  A lion lies in wait for prey; so does sin for evildoers.
27:11  The conversation of the godly is always wise, but the fool changes like the moon.
27:12  Among stupid people limit your time, but among thoughtful people linger on.
27:13  The talk of fools is offensive, and their laughter is wantonly sinful.
27:14  Their cursing and swearing make one’s hair stand on end, and their quarrels make others stop their ears.
27:15  The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed, and their abuse is grievous to hear.
27:16  Whoever betrays secrets destroys confidence and will never find a congenial friend.
27:17  Love your friends and keep faith with them, but if you betray their secrets, do not follow after them.
27:18  For as a person destroys an enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor.
27:19  And as you allow a bird to escape from your hand, so you have let your neighbor go and will not catch him again.
27:20  Do not go after him, for he is too far off and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare.
27:21  For a wound may be bandaged, and there is reconciliation after abuse, but whoever has betrayed secrets is without hope.
27:22  Whoever winks the eye plots harm, and those who know such a one will keep their distance.
27:23  In your presence their mouths are all sweetness, and they admire your words, but later they will twist their speech and with your own words they will cause a scandal.
27:24  I have hated many things but them above all; even the Lord hates them.
27:25  Those who throw a stone straight up throw it on their own heads, and a treacherous blow opens up many wounds.
27:26  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever sets a snare will be caught in it.
27:27  If people do evil, it will roll back upon them, and they will not know where it came from.
27:28  Mockery and abuse issue from the proud, but vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion.
27:29  Those who rejoice in the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare, and pain will consume them before their death.
27:30  Anger and wrath, these also are abominations, yet a sinner holds on to them.