Excellentspeechis not fittingfor a fool,Muchlessare lyinglipsto a prince.
If a rulerpaysattentionto falsehood,Allhis ministers[become] wicked.
"You hypocrite,firsttakethe logout of your own eye,and thenyou will see clearlyto takethe speckout of your brother'seye.
[Like] the legs[which] are uselessto the lame,So is a proverbin the mouthof fools.
Truthfullipswill be establishedforever,But a lyingtongueis onlyfor a moment.
"Surely,Godwill not actwickedly,And the Almightywill not pervertjustice.
"The Godof Israelsaid,The Rockof Israelspoketo me, 'He who rulesover menrighteously,Who rulesin the fearof God,
Let the lyinglipsbe mute,Which speakarrogantlyagainstthe righteousWith prideand contempt.
Haughtyeyes,a lyingtongue,And handsthat shedinnocentblood,
Lyinglipsare an abominationto the LORD,But those who dealfaithfullyare His delight.
Luxuryis not fittingfor a fool;Muchlessfor a slaveto ruleover princes.
Wisdomis [too] exaltedfor a fool,He does not openhis mouthin the gate.
Like snowin summerand like rainin harvest,Sohonoris not fittingfor a fool.
