New Revised Standard NRS
New International Version NIV
15 The lazy person buries a hand in the dish, and is too tired to bring it back to the mouth.
15
A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The lazy person is wiser in self-esteem than seven who can answer discreetly.
16
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 Like somebody who takes a passing dog by the ears is one who meddles in the quarrel of another.
17
Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18 Like a maniac who shoots deadly firebrands and arrows,
18
Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 so is one who deceives a neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"
19
is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
20
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
21
As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
22
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are smooth lips with an evil heart.
23
Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 An enemy dissembles in speaking while harboring deceit within;
24
Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 when an enemy speaks graciously, do not believe it, for there are seven abominations concealed within;
25
Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.