16. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
17. Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18. Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
19. is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
20. For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
21. As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
22. The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
23. Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24. A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
25. When his speech is charming, don’t believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26. His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27. Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.