20. Without wood, a fire will go out.And without gossip, quarreling will stop.
21. Charcoal and wood keep a fire going.In the same way, a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going.
22. The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food.People take them all in.
23. Kind words from a wicked mindare like a shiny coating on a clay pot.
24. A person who hates you may fool you with his words.But in his mind he is planning evil.
25. His words are kind, but don’t believe him.His mind is full of evil thoughts.
26. He hides his hate with lies.But his evil will be plain to everyone.
27. Whoever digs a deep trap for others will fall into it himself.Whoever tries to roll a boulder over others will be crushed by it.
28. A liar hates the people he hurts.And false praise can ruin others.