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1The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
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The sluggard is 2wiser in his own eyes 3than seven men who can answer sensibly.
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Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
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Like a madman who throws 4firebrands, arrows, and death
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is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"
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For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no 5whisperer, 6quarreling ceases.
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As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is 7a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
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8The words of 9a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
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10Like the 11glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
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Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;
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12when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are 13seven abominations in his heart;
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though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
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14Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
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A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.