²⁰ Without wood a fire goes out;
    without a gossip a quarrel dies down.^(A)
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.^(B)
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.^(C)

²³ Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent^[a] lips with an evil heart.
²⁴ Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,^(D)
    but in their hearts they harbor deceit.^(E)
25 Though their speech is charming,^(F) do not believe them,
    for seven abominations fill their hearts.^(G)
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
    but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
    and a flattering mouth^(A) works ruin.