Proverbs 26:17-28

Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten] Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business. Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend) And then says, “Was I not joking?” [Eph 5:4] For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down. Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. [Prov 15:18; 29:22] The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten]; They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon]. [Prov 18:8] Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value] Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart. He who hates, disguises it with his lips, But he stores up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him, For seven abominations are in his heart. Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit, His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly. Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him. [Ps 7:15, 16; 9:15; 10:2; 57:6; Prov 28:10; Eccl 10:8] A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.