²⁰ With no wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no ^(A)whisperer, ^(B)strife 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 innermost parts of the stomach.
²³ Like an earthen ^(E)vessel overlaid with silver ^(F)dross
Are fiery lips and an evil heart.
²⁴ He who ^(G)hates disguises it with his lips,
But he sets up ^(H)deceit within himself.
²⁵ When he ^(I)makes his voice gracious, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart.
²⁶ Though his hatred ^(J)covers itself with guile,
His evil will be ^(K)revealed in the assembly.

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