Proverbs 26:20-26
New International Version
20 Without wood a fire goes out;
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.(A)
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.(B)
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.(C)
23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
are fervent[a] lips with an evil heart.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,(D)
but in their hearts they harbor deceit.(E)
25 Though their speech is charming,(F) do not believe them,
for seven abominations fill their hearts.(G)
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:23 Hebrew; Septuagint smooth
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 26:28
New International Version
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth(A) works ruin.
Proverbs 26:28
Holman Christian Standard Bible
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
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