When wise people speak, they make knowledge attractive, but stupid people spout nonsense.

You snakes---how can you say good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

His words were smoother than cream, but there was hatred in his heart; his words were as soothing as oil, but they cut like sharp swords.

I am surrounded by enemies, who are like lions hungry for human flesh. Their teeth are like spears and arrows; their tongues are like sharp swords.

They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like arrows.

They encourage each other in their evil plots; they talk about where they will place their traps. "No one can see them," they say.

Wicked people and liars have attacked me. They tell lies about me,

and they say evil things about me, attacking me for no reason.

Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.

The wicked say to themselves, "God doesn't care! He has closed his eyes and will never see me!"

How can the wicked despise God and say to themselves, "He will not punish me"?

They say, "God will not know; the Most High will not find out."

They say, "The LORD does not see us; the God of Israel does not notice."

God made our ears---can't he hear? He made our eyes---can't he see?

Doesn't God live in the highest heavens and look down on the stars, even though they are high?

And yet you ask, "What does God know? He is hidden by clouds---how can he judge us?"

"Have you noticed how people are saying that I have rejected Israel and Judah, the two families that I chose? And so they look with contempt on my people and no longer consider them a nation.