18 Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. 19 Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. 20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Proverbs 25:18–20
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 26:18–20
18 Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, 19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” 20 Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
Proverbs 27:5–7
5 Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. 6 The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 7 The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
Proverbs 26:22–24
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. 23 Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart. 24 A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
Proverbs 26:6–8
6 Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. 7 Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 8 Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
Sirach 19:11–13
11 A fool will travail in pain with a word, as a woman in labor with a child. (WEB) 12 As an arrow that sticks in the flesh of the thigh, so is gossip in a fool. (WEB) 13 Question a friend; it may be he didn’t do it. If he did something, it may be that he may do it no more. (WEB)
Sirach 37:3–5
3 O wicked imagination, why were you formed to cover the dry land with deceit? (WEB) 4 There is a companion who rejoices in the gladness of a friend, but in time of affliction will be against him. (WEB) 5 There is a companion who for the belly’s sake labors with his friend, yet… (WEB)
Proverbs 25:25–27
25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. 26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. 27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
Proverbs 19:27–29
27 If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. 29 Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
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