¹⁹is someone who lies to a friendand then says, “I was only joking.”
²⁰Fire goes out without wood,and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
²¹A quarrelsome person starts fightsas easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.
²²Rumors are dainty morselsthat sink deep into one’s heart.
²³Smooth#26:23 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads Burning. words may hide a wicked heart,just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.
²⁴People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,but they’re deceiving you.
²⁵They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.Their hearts are full of many evils.#26:25 Hebrew seven evils.
²⁶While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.
²⁷If you set a trap for others,you will get caught in it yourself.If you roll a boulder down on others,it will crush you instead.
²⁸A lying tongue hates its victims,and flattering words cause ruin.