20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
    and where there is no (A)whisperer, (B)quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
    so is (C)a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22 (D)The words of (E)a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 (F)Like the (G)glaze[a] covering an earthen vessel
    are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
    and harbors deceit in his heart;
25 (H)when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
    for there are (I)seven abominations in his heart;
26 though his hatred be covered with deception,
    his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross

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

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