20. Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth,
21. Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.
22. The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
23. Silver of dross spread over potsherd, [Are] burning lips and an evil heart.
24. By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit,
25. When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations [are] in his heart.
26. Hatred is covered by deceit, Revealed is its wickedness in an assembly.
27. Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And the roller of a stone, to him it turneth.
28. A lying tongue hateth its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth worketh an overthrow!