Commonly, those people who are most proud, know least; for they do not know themselves. Hence come envy, strife, railings, evil-surmisings, disputes that are all subtlety, and of no solidity, between men of corrupt and carnal minds, ignorant of the truth and its sanctifying power, and seeking their worldly advantage. People did not think it was important to have a true knowledge of God. So God left them and allowed them to have their own worthless thinking. And so they do what they should not do. They are filled with every kind of sin, evil, greed, and hatred. They are full of jealousy, murder, fighting, lying, and thinking the worst things about each other. They gossip and say evil things about each other. They hate God. They are rude, proud, and brag about themselves. They invent ways of doing evil. They don't obey their parents, they are foolish, they don't keep their promises, and they show no kindness or mercy to others. They know God's law says that anyone who lives like that should die. But they not only continue to do these things themselves, but they also encourage others who do them.
Description of Haters (Proverbs 16)
1 Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.
2 Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good.
4 God made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included—but for judgment.
5 God can't stomach arrogance or pretense; believe me, he'll put those upstarts in their place.
8 Far better to be right and poor than to be wrong and rich.
10 A good leader motivates, doesn't mislead, doesn't exploit.
14 An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives; you're smart to stay clear of someone like that.
18 First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
19 It's better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous.
25 There's a way that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell.
27 Mean people spread mean gossip; their words smart and burn.
28 Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships.
29 Calloused climbers betray their very own friends; they'd stab their own grandmothers in the back.
30 A shifty eye betrays an evil intention; a clenched jaw signals trouble ahead.
What Is the Godly Way to Do? (1 Peter 3:16-17)
But answer them in a gentle way with respect. Keep your conscience clear. Then people will see the good way you live as followers of Christ, and those who say bad things about you will be ashamed of what they said. It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong. Yes, it is better if that is what God wants.