18  The one who ^gconceals hatred has ^hlying lips,

and whoever utters slander is a fool.

19  ⁱWhen words are many, transgression is not lacking,

but ^jwhoever restrains his lips is prudent.

20  The tongue of the righteous is ^kchoice silver;

the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

21  The lips of the righteous feed many,

but fools die for lack of sense.

22  The blessing of the Lord makes rich,

and he adds no sorrow with it.¹

23  Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,

but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

24  What the wicked dreads will come upon him,

but ^lthe desire of the righteous will be granted.

25  ^mWhen the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,

but the righteous is established forever.

26  Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

so is the sluggard to those who send him.

27  The fear of the Lord ⁿprolongs life,

but the years of the wicked will be short.

28  ^oThe hope of the righteous brings joy,

but ^pthe expectation of the wicked will perish.

29  The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,

^qbut destruction to evildoers.

30  ^rThe righteous will never be removed,

but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

31  ^sThe mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,

but the ^tperverse tongue will be cut off.

32  The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,

but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.