PROVERBS 26:17-26

¹⁷He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

¹⁸As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;

¹⁹So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

²⁰For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

²¹As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.

²²The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

²³Fervent lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

²⁴He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:

²⁵When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart:

²⁶Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation.