²⁰ Without wood a fire goes out,
and without gossip a quarrel dies down.
²¹ ⌞As⌟ charcoal fuels burning coals and wood fuels fire,
so a quarrelsome person fuels a dispute.
²² The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily,
and they go down into a person’s innermost being.

²³ ⌞Like⌟ a clay pot covered with cheap silver,
⌞so⌟ is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart.
²⁴ Whoever is filled with hate disguises it with his speech,
but inside he holds on to deceit.
²⁵ When he talks charmingly, do not trust him
because of the seven disgusting things in his heart.
²⁶ His hatred is deceitfully hidden,
but his wickedness will be revealed to the community.