10:18

In this verse, the parallel lines do not contrast in meaning. Both lines describe evil actions.

18a
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,

18b and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

10:18a

The one who conceals hatred has lying lips: The phrase lying lips is a figure of speech. It represents a person who tells lies. There are two ways to interpret the subject of the sentence:

(1) The subject is the person who conceals hatred. The context implies that he conceals it by lying. For example:

Whoever hides hate is a liar (New Century Version)

(2) The subject is the liar. For example:

Lying lips conceal hatred (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

10:18b

and whoever spreads slander is a fool: The phrase spreads slander means to tell other people false reports that injure someone’s reputation. Another way to translate this line is:

Anyone who spreads gossip is a fool. (Good News Translation)

fool: This word for fool also occurs in 10:1c.

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