For the purposes of their hearts are destruction, and their lips are talking of trouble.
MESSAGE
All they think about is causing a disturbance; all they talk about is making trouble.
NKJV
For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.
PHILIPS
RWEBSTR
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
GWV
because their minds plot violence, and their lips talk trouble.
NET
for their hearts contemplate violence, and their lips speak harm.*
NET
24:2 for their hearts contemplate violence,
and their lips speak harm.2037
sn This nineteenth saying warns against evil associations. Evil people are obsessed with destruction and trouble. See on this theme 1:10-19; 3:31 and 23:17. D. Kidner observes that a close view of sinners is often a good antidote to envying them (Proverbs [TOTC], 153).