17
Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18
Like a madman who throws o firebrands, arrows, and death
19
is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, "I am only joking!"
20
For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no p whisperer, q quarreling ceases.
21
As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is r a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22
s The words of p a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23
t Like the u glaze 1 covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24
Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
25
v when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are w seven abominations in his heart;
26
though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27
x Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28
A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.