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
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
New American Standard Bible
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:28 Lit its crushed ones
Proverbs 26:28
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.(A)
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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.