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As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is 1a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
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2The words of 3a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
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4Like the 5glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
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Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;
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6when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are 7seven abominations in his heart;
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though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
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8Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
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A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.