²⁰ Without wood, the fire goes out.
    Without a gossip, contention stops.
²¹ Charcoal is to hot coals
    as wood is to fire;
        so also a quarrelsome man fuels strife.
²² The words of a gossip are like delicate morsels;
    they sink down deep within.
²³ A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver—
    that’s what smooth^[a] lips with a wicked heart are.
²⁴ Someone who hates hides behind his words,
    harboring deceit within himself.
²⁵ Though he speaks graciously, don’t believe him,
    for there are seven detestable things in his heart.
²⁶ Though malice disguises itself with deception,
    its evil will be exposed publicly.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates its victims,
    and a flattering mouth causes ruin.