20  For lack of wood the fire goes out,

and where there is no whisperer, ^vquarreling ceases.

21  As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,

so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

22  ^wThe words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

23  Like the glaze¹ covering an earthen vessel

are ^xfervent lips with an evil heart.

24  Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips

and harbors deceit in his heart;

25  when he speaks graciously, believe him not,

for there are ^yseven abominations in his heart;

26  though his ^zhatred be covered with deception,

his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

28  A lying tongue hates its victims,

and a flattering mouth works ruin.