Proverbs 26:17-28

Amplified Bible

¹⁷ 
Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten]
Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.
¹⁸ 
Like a madman who throws
Firebrands, arrows, and death,
¹⁹ 
So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend)
And then says, “Was I not joking?”^(A)
20 
For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.
²¹ 
Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.^(B)
22 
The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];
They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].^(C)
23 
Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]
Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.
²⁴ 
He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
But he stores up deceit in his heart.
²⁵ 
When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,
For seven abominations are in his heart.
²⁶ 
Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit,
His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly.
²⁷ 
Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him.^(D)
28 
A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.