Proverbs 26:17-27:6

New International Version

¹⁷ Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears
    is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.

¹⁸ Like a maniac shooting
    flaming arrows of death
¹⁹ is one who deceives their neighbor
    and says, “I was only joking!”

²⁰ Without wood a fire goes out;
    without a gossip a quarrel dies down.^(A)
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.^(B)
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.^(C)

²³ Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent^[a] lips with an evil heart.
²⁴ Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,^(D)
    but in their hearts they harbor deceit.^(E)
25 Though their speech is charming,^(F) do not believe them,
    for seven abominations fill their hearts.^(G)
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
    but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
²⁷ Whoever digs a pit^(H) will fall into it;^(I)
    if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.^(J)
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
    and a flattering mouth^(K) works ruin.

27 Do not boast^(L) about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.^(M)

² Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
    an outsider, and not your own lips.^(N)

³ Stone is heavy and sand^(O) a burden,
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

⁴ Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
    but who can stand before jealousy?^(P)

⁵ Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.

⁶ Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.^(Q)