Proverbs 26:18-26

New King James Version

¹⁸ Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
¹⁹ Is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, ^(A)“I was only joking!”

²⁰ Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no ^[a]talebearer, strife ceases.
^21 (B)As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
²² The words of a ^[b]talebearer are like ^[c]tasty trifles,
And they go down into the ^[d]inmost body.

²³ Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

²⁴ He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;
^25 (C)When ^[e]he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart;
²⁶ Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.