Proverbs 26:16-23

¹⁶A slow man seemeth wiser to himself, than seven men speaking sentences. (A lazy person seemeth wiser to himself, than seven people speaking forth their thoughts.)

¹⁷As he that taketh a dog by the ears; so he that passeth, and is unpatient, and is meddled with the chiding of another man. (Like he who taketh a dog by the ears, is he who passeth by, and is impatient, and is mixed in, or mingled, with the argument of another man.)

¹⁸As he is guilty, that sendeth spears and arrows into death, (Like he is guilty, who sendeth spears and arrows into uncertainty, causing death,)

¹⁹so a man that harmeth guilefully his friend, and when he is taken, he shall say, I did playing. (is a person who deceitfully harmeth his friend, and when he is caught, he saith, I was just playing.)

²⁰When trees fail or When woods shall fail, the fire shall be quenched; and when a privy backbiter is withdrawn, strives rest. (When there is no more wood, the fire shall be quenched; and when a gossip departeth, or stoppeth speaking, the argument shall be ended.)

²¹As dead coals at quick coals, and trees at the fire, or As dead coals to quick coals, and wood to fire; so a wrathful man (that) raiseth chidings. (Like dead coals to burning coals, and wood to fire, is an angry person who raiseth up arguments, or strife.)

²²The words of a privy backbiter be as simple (or The words of a gossip be tasty); and those come till to the innerest things of the heart.

²³As if thou wouldest adorn a vessel of earth, (that is, a cheap pot made out of clay), with the dross of silver, so be swelling lips fellowshipped with a full wicked heart.