Proverbs 26:16–28

16  The sluggard is wiser xin his own conceit

Than yseven men that can zrender a zzreason.

17  He that passeth by, and ||ameddleth with strife belonging not to him,

Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18  As a mad man who casteth †firebrands, arrows, and death,

19  So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour,

And saith, Am not I in sport?

20  †Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out:

So where there is no ||talebearer, bthe strife †ceaseth.

21  As ccoals are to dburning coals, and wood to fire;

So is ea contentious man to kindle strife.

22  fThe words of a talebearer are as wounds,

And they go down into the †innermost parts of the belly.

23  gBurning lips and a wicked heart

Are like a potsherd hcovered with silver idross.

24  He that hateth ||kdissembleth with his lips,

And layeth up deceit within him;

25  lWhen he †speaketh fair, believe him not:

For there are yseven abominations in his heart.

26  Whose ||hatred is covered by deceit,

His wickedness shall be mshewed nbefore the whole congregation.

27  oWhoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein:

And he that rolleth a stone, it will preturn upon him.

28  A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it;

And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.