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

19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor,

And says, i“I was only joking!”

20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;

And where there is no 4talebearer, strife ceases.

21 jAs charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a 5talebearer are like 6tasty trifles,

And they go down into the 7inmost body.

23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart

Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips,

And lays up deceit within himself;

25 kWhen 8he speaks kindly, do not believe him,

For there are seven abominations in his heart;

26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit,

His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

27 lWhoever digs a pit will fall into it,

And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,

And a flattering mouth works mruin.

27 Do anot boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

2 bLet another man praise you, and not your own mouth;

A stranger, and not your own lips.

3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,

But a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.

4 Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,

But cwho is able to stand before jealousy?

5 dOpen rebuke is better

Than love carefully concealed.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,

But the kisses of an enemy are edeceitful.

7 A satisfied soul 1loathes the honeycomb,

But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest

Is a man who wanders from his place.

9 Ointment and perfume delight the heart,

And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by 2hearty counsel.

10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,

Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;

fBetter is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,

gThat I may answer him who reproaches me.

12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself;

The simple pass on and are hpunished.

13 Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger,

And hold it in pledge when he is surety for a seductress.

14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,

It will be counted a curse to him.

15 A icontinual dripping on a very rainy day

And a contentious woman are alike;

16 Whoever 3restrains her restrains the wind,

And grasps oil with his right hand.

17 As iron sharpens iron,

So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.