18 Like a madman shootingdeadly, burning arrows
19 is the one who tricks a neighborand then says, “I was just joking.”
20 Without wood, a fire will go out,and without gossip, quarreling will stop.
21 Just as charcoal and wood keep a fire going,a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going.
22 The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food;people like to gobble them up.
23 Kind words from a wicked mindare like a shiny coating on a clay pot.
24 Those who hate you may try to fool you with their words,but in their minds they are planning evil.