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The sluggard is 1wiser in his own eyes 2than 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 3firebrands, 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 4whisperer, 5quarreling ceases.
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As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is 6a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
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7The words of 8a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
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9Like the 10glaze 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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11when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are 12seven abominations in his heart;
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though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.