Proverbs 26:22
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
In Context
21[As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
23Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Cross References
Proverbs 18:8The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
Ezekiel 22:9Slanderous men have been in thee to shed blood, and in thee they have eaten upon the mountains. In the midst of thee they have committed lewdness.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:21-23
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 As coals are 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 they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Contention is as a fire; it heats the spirit, burns up all that is good, and puts families and societies into a flame. Now here we are told how that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning, that we may avoid the occasions… Read the whole commentary →