Proverbs 26:20-26
Christian Standard Bible
20 Without wood, fire goes out;
without a gossip, conflict dies down.(A)
21 As charcoal for embers and wood for fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.(B)
22 A gossip’s words are like choice food
that goes down to one’s innermost being.[a](C)
23 Smooth[b] lips with an evil heart
are like glaze on an earthen vessel.(D)
24 A hateful person disguises himself with his speech
and harbors deceit within.
25 When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him,
for there are seven detestable things in his heart.(E)
26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception,
his evil will be revealed in the assembly.
Proverbs 26:20-26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.(A)
21 As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.(B)
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.(C)
23 Like the glaze[a] covering an earthen vessel
are smooth[b] lips with an evil heart.
24 An enemy dissembles in speaking
while harboring deceit within;(D)
25 when an enemy speaks graciously, do not believe it,
for there are seven abominations concealed within;(E)
26 though hatred is covered with guile,
the enemy’s wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.(F)
Proverbs 26:28
Christian Standard Bible
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Proverbs 26:28
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.(A)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.