Proverbs 26:16-23

¹⁶Wiser is the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven men returning a reason.

¹⁷Laying hold on the ears of a dog, Is a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.

¹⁸As one pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,

¹⁹So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, 'Am not I playing?'

²⁰Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth,

²¹Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.

²²The words of a tale-bearer are as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down to the inner parts of the heart.

²³Silver of dross spread over potsherd, Are burning lips and an evil heart.