Proverbs 26:20-26
New Living Translation
20 Fire goes out without wood,
and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
21 A quarrelsome person starts fights
as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.
22 Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.
23 Smooth[a] words may hide a wicked heart,
just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.
24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,
but they’re deceiving you.
25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.
Their hearts are full of many evils.[b]
26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,
their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.
Proverbs 26:20-26
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 person 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 detestable things in his heart.(E)
26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception,
his evil will be revealed in the assembly.
Proverbs 26:28
New Living Translation
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and flattering words cause ruin.
Proverbs 26:28
Christian Standard Bible
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.