14. As the door turns upon his hinges,so does the slothful upon his bed.
15. The slothful buries his hand in his bowl;it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceitthan seven men who can answer reasonably.
17. He who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to himis like one who takes a dog by the ears.
18. As a madman who castsfirebrands, arrows, and death,
19. so is the man who deceives his neighbor,and says, “I was only joking.”
20. Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22. The words of a talebearer are as wounds,and go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23. Burning lips and a wicked heartare like earthenware covered with silver dross.
24. He who hates dissembles with his lips,and lays up deceit within him;
25. when he speaks kindly, do not believe him,for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26. though his hatred is covered by deceit,his wickedness will be shown before the whole congregation.
27. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,and he who rolls a stone, it will return upon him.