Proverbs 26:20-26
Revised Standard Version
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out;
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 Like the glaze[a] covering an earthen vessel
are smooth[b] lips with an evil heart.
24 He who hates, dissembles with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26 though his hatred be covered with guile,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:23 Cn: Heb silver of dross
- Proverbs 26:23 Gk: Heb burning
Proverbs 26:28
Revised Standard Version
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.