Proverbs 22:11-14a

¹¹The Lord loves holy hearts, And all blameless persons are acceptable with him: A king rules with his lips.

¹²But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; But the transgressor despises wise words.

¹³The sluggard makes excuses, and says, There is a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.

¹⁴The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; And he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it.

^14aEvil ways are before a man, And he does not like to turn away from them; But it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.