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

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