Proverbs 26:18-28 ▼

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

19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “Am I not joking?”

20 With no wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, strife 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 are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the stomach.

23 Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are fiery lips and an evil heart.

24 He who hates disguises it with his lips, But he sets up deceit within himself.

25 When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile, His evil will be revealed in the assembly.

27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will turn back on him.

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