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27:1  Many have committed sin for a trifle, and whoever seeks to get rich will avert his 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 man is not steadfast and zealous in the fear of the Lord, his house will be quickly overthrown.
27:4  When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains; so a man’s filth remains in his thoughts.
27:5  The kiln tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a man is in his reasoning.
27:6  The fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so the expression of a thought discloses the cultivation of a man’s mind.
27:7  Do not praise a man before you hear him reason, for this is the test of men.
27:8  If you pursue justice, you will attain it and wear it as a glorious robe.
27:9  Birds flock with their kind; so truth returns to those who practice it.
27:10  A lion lies in wait for prey; so does sin for the workers of iniquity.
27:11  The talk of the godly man is always wise, but the fool changes like the moon.
27:12  Among stupid people watch for a chance to leave, but among thoughtful people stay on.
27:13  The talk of fools is offensive, and their laughter is wantonly sinful.
27:14  The talk of men given to swearing makes one’s hair stand on end, and their quarrels make a man stop his 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 he will never find a congenial friend.
27:17  Love your friend and keep faith with him; but if you betray his secrets, do not run after him.
27:18  For as a man destroys his 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 his eye plans evil deeds, and no one can keep him from them.
27:23  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 give offense.
27:24  I have hated many things, but none to be compared to him; even the Lord will hate him.
27:25  Whoever throws a stone straight up throws it on his own head; and a treacherous blow opens up wounds.
27:26  He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who sets a snare will be caught in it.
27:27  If a man does evil, it will roll back upon him, and he will not know where it came from.
27:28  Mockery and abuse issue from the proud man, but vengeance lies in wait for him 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, and the sinful man will possess them.