Proverbs 26:20-26
New American Standard Bible
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no (A)gossiper, (B)quarreling quiets down.
21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a (C)contentious person to kindle strife.
22 The (D)words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the [a]innermost parts of the body.
23 Like an earthenware (E)vessel overlaid with silver [b](F)impurities
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 One who (G)hates disguises it with his lips,
But he harbors (H)deceit in his [c]heart.
25 When [d]he (I)speaks graciously, do not believe him,
Because there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred (J)covers itself with deception,
His wickedness will be (K)revealed in the assembly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:22 Lit chambers of the belly
- Proverbs 26:23 Lit dross
- Proverbs 26:24 Lit inward part
- Proverbs 26:25 Lit his voice is gracious
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
New American Standard Bible
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:28 Lit its crushed ones
Proverbs 26:28
Common English Bible
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes;
a flattering mouth causes destruction.
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