Proverbs 26:23
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthern vessel adorned with silver dross.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner, 1752)
In The King James Version
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
In Context
22The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
24An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
Cross References
Proverbs 10:18Lying lips hide hatred: he that uttereth reproach, is foolish.
Proverbs 25:4Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
Ezekiel 33:31And they come to thee, as if people were coming in, and my people sit before thee: and hear thy words, and do them not: for they turn them into a song of their mouth, and their heart goeth after their covetousness.
Luke 11:39And the Lord said to him: Now you, Pharisees, make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter: but your inside is full of rapine and iniquity.
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 →