²⁰ Without wood, a fire will go out.
    And without gossip, quarreling will stop.

²¹ Charcoal and wood keep a fire going.
    In the same way, a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going.

²² The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food.
    People take them all in.

²³ Kind words from a wicked mind
    are like a shiny coating on a clay pot.

²⁴ A person who hates you may fool you with his words.
    But in his mind he is planning evil.
²⁵ His words are kind, but don’t believe him.
    His mind is full of evil thoughts.
²⁶ He hides his hate with lies.
    But his evil will be plain to everyone.

²⁸ A liar hates the people he hurts.
    And false praise can ruin others.