Proverbs 26:13-28 ▼

13 The sluggard says, |There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!|

14 [As] the door turns on its hinges, So [does] the sluggard on his bed.

15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.

17 [Like] one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by [and] meddles with strife not belonging to him.

18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,

19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, |Was I not joking?|

20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

21 [Like] charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

23 [Like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

24 He who hates disguises [it] with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart.

25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 [Though his] hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.