Proverbs 26:22
The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
Douay-Rheims 1899
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
21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
23Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
Cross References
Proverbs 18:8The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.
Ezekiel 22:9Slanderers have been in thee to shed blood, and they have eaten upon the mountains in thee, they have committed wickedness in the midst of thee.
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 →