18
Like a maniac who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
19
so [is] a man who deceives his neighbor, but says "Am I not joking?"
20
For lack of wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling will cease.
21
[As] charcoal [is] to hot embers and wood [is] to fire, so a man of quarrels [is] to kindling strife.
22
The words of a whisperer [are] like delicious morsels, and they go down to the inner parts of the body.
23
[Like] {impure silver} which overlays an earthen vessel, [so are] smooth lips and an evil heart.
24
On his lips, an enemy will pretend, but {inside} he will harbor deceit.
25
When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him, for seven abominations [are] in his heart.
26
Though hatred is covered with guile, its evil will be exposed in the assembly.
27
He who digs a pit, in it he will fall, and he who rolls a stone, on him it will come back.
28
A tongue of deceit hates its victim, and a flattering mouth makes ruin.