Proverbs 26:22
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
Free Bible 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
21An argumentative person fires up quarrels like putting charcoal on hot embers or wood on a fire.
23Smooth talking with evil intent is like a shiny lead glaze on an earthenware pot.
Cross References
Proverbs 18:8Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
Ezekiel 22:9Living among you are people who falsely accuse others in order to put them to death. You also have those who eat religious meals at pagan shrines in the mountains, and commit immoral acts within the city.
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 →