Proverbs 26:19

so is a person ¹  who deceives his neighbor, and says, “Was I not only joking?” ² 

is a man who deceives his neighbour and says, "I was only joking!"

So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?"

is someone who lies to a friend and then says, "I was only joking."

Are worse than careless campers who walk away from smoldering campfires.

So is the man who gets the better of his neighbour by deceit, and says, Am I not doing so in sport?

so is one who deceives a neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"

Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking!"

so is a person ¹  who deceives his neighbor, and says, “Was I not only joking?” ² 

¹ tn Heb “man.”

² sn The subject of this proverb is not simply a deceiver, but one who does so out of jest, or at least who claims he was joking afterward. The participle מְשַׂחֵק has the idea of “laughing, mocking”; in this context it might convey the idea of “kidding” or “joking.” The point is that such practical joking is immature and often dangerous. To the foolish deceiver it might all seem like fun, like sport; but it can destroy people. One cannot trifle with dangerous weapons, or put them in irresponsible hands; likewise one cannot trifle with human relationships. W. G. Plaut notes, “The only worthwhile humor is that which laughs with, not at others” (Proverbs, 270).