Proverbs 26:18-28 ▼

18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend) And then says, “Was I not joking?”

20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.

21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten]; They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].

23 Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value] Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.

24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, But he stores up deceit in his heart.

25 When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him, For seven abominations are in his heart.

26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit, His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly.

27 Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him.

28 A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.