17. Like one who grabs a stray dog by the earsis someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18. Like a maniac shootingflaming arrows of death
19. is one who deceives their neighbourand says, ‘I was only joking!’
20. Without wood a fire goes out;without gossip a quarrel dies down.
21. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;they go down to the inmost parts.
23. Like a coating of silver dross on earthenwareare fervent lips with an evil heart.
24. Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,but in their hearts they harbour deceit.
25. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26. Their malice may be concealed by deception,but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.