²¹ As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.^(A)
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.^(B)

²³ Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent^[a] lips with an evil heart.
²⁴ Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,^(C)
    but in their hearts they harbor deceit.^(D)
25 Though their speech is charming,^(E) do not believe them,
    for seven abominations fill their hearts.^(F)
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
    but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
²⁷ Whoever digs a pit^(G) will fall into it;^(H)
    if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.^(I)
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
    and a flattering mouth^(J) works ruin.