²⁰ Without wood a fire goes out;
    without gossips, conflict calms down.
²¹ Like adding charcoal to embers or wood to fire,
    quarrelsome people kindle strife.
²² The words of gossips are like choice snacks;
    they go down to the inmost parts.
²³ Smooth^[a] lips and an evil heart
    are like silver coating on clay.
²⁴ Hateful people mislead with their lips,
    keeping their deception within.
²⁵ Though they speak graciously, don’t believe them,
    for seven horrible things are in their heart.
²⁶ They may cover their hatred with trickery,
    but their evil will be revealed in public.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it crushes;
    a flattering mouth causes destruction.