Both hands are good(A) at accomplishing evil:
the official and the judge demand a bribe;(B)
when the powerful man communicates his evil desire,
they plot it together.
The best of them is like a brier;(C)
the most upright is worse than a hedge of thorns.(D)
The day of your watchmen,
the day of your punishment, is coming;(E)
at this time their panic is here.(F)
Do not rely on a friend;(G)
don’t trust in a close companion.
Seal your mouth
from the woman who lies in your arms.
Surely a son considers his father a fool,(H)
a daughter opposes her mother,
and a daughter-in-law is against her mother-in-law;
a man’s enemies are the men of his own household.

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Both hands are skilled in doing evil;(A)
    the ruler demands gifts,
the judge accepts bribes,(B)
    the powerful dictate what they desire—
    they all conspire together.
The best of them is like a brier,(C)
    the most upright worse than a thorn(D) hedge.
The day God visits you has come,
    the day your watchmen sound the alarm.
    Now is the time of your confusion.(E)
Do not trust a neighbor;
    put no confidence in a friend.(F)
Even with the woman who lies in your embrace
    guard the words of your lips.
For a son dishonors his father,
    a daughter rises up against her mother,(G)
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
    a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.(H)

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