Proverbs 26:20-28

World English Bible

²⁰ For lack of wood a fire goes out.
    Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
²¹ As coals are to hot embers,
    and wood to fire,
    so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
²² The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
    they go down into the innermost parts.
²³ Like silver dross on an earthen vessel
    are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
²⁴ A malicious man disguises himself with his lips,
    but he harbors evil in his heart.
²⁵ When his speech is charming, don’t believe him,
    for there are seven abominations in his heart.
²⁶ His malice may be concealed by deception,
    but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
²⁷ Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it.
    Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it hurts;
    and a flattering mouth works ruin.