[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 shooting flaming arrows of death [19] is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” [20] Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. [21] As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. [22] The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. [23] Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. [24] Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. [25] Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. [26] Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. [27] Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. [28] A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
