Proverbs 26:23
Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
Berean Standard Bible
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 gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
24A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
Cross References
Proverbs 10:18The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Proverbs 25:4Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
Ezekiel 33:31So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
Luke 11:39“Now then,” said the Lord, “you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
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 →