20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no (A)whisperer, (B)contention quiets down.
21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a (C)contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The (D)words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the [a]innermost parts of the body.
23 Like an earthen (E)vessel overlaid with silver (F)dross
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 He who (G)hates disguises it with his lips,
But he lays up (H)deceit in his [b]heart.
25 When [c]he (I)speaks graciously, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred (J)covers itself with guile,
His wickedness will be (K)revealed before the assembly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:22 Lit chambers of the belly
  2. Proverbs 26:24 Lit inward part
  3. Proverbs 26:25 Lit his voice is gracious

28 A lying tongue hates [a]those it crushes,
And a (A)flattering mouth works ruin.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:28 Lit its crushed ones