Proverbs 26:13-28 ▼

13 The lazy person claims, |There is a lion in the road! There's a lion in the streets!|

14 The door turns on its hinges— as does the lazy person on his bed.

15 The lazy person buries his hand in the dish, but he's too tired to bring it to his mouth again.

16 The lazy person is wiser in his own opinion than seven men who can give an appropriate response.

17 Picking up a dog by the ears— that's what someone is like who meddles in another's fight.

18 Like the maniac who shoots fiery darts and deadly arrows—

19 that's what someone is like who lies to his neighbor and then says, |I was joking, wasn't I?|

20 Without wood, the fire goes out. Without a gossip, contention stops.

21 Charcoal is to hot coals as wood is to fire; so also a quarrelsome man fuels strife.

22 The words of a gossip are like delicate morsels; they sink down deep within.

23 A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver— that's what smooth lips with a wicked heart are.

24 Someone who hates hides behind his words, harboring deceit within himself.

25 Though he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.

26 Though malice disguises itself with deception, its evil will be exposed publicly.

27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and the stone will come back on whoever starts it rolling.

28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.