Proverbs 26:20-26
Holman 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 man 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 abominations in his heart.(E)
26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception,
his evil will be revealed in the assembly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:22 Lit to the chambers of the belly
- Proverbs 26:23 LXX; MT reads Burning
Proverbs 26:20-26
Common English Bible
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.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:23 LXX; Heb uncertain
Proverbs 26:28
Holman Christian Standard Bible
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Proverbs 26:28
Common English Bible
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes;
a flattering mouth causes destruction.
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