Proverbs 26:20-23

Contemporary English Version

²⁰ Where there is no fuel
    a fire goes out;
where there is no gossip
    arguments come to an end.
²¹ Troublemakers start trouble,
just as sparks and fuel
    start a fire.
²² There is nothing so delicious
as the taste of gossip!
    It melts in your mouth.

²³ Hiding hateful thoughts
    behind smooth^[a] talk
is like coating a clay pot
    with a cheap glaze.