Proverbs 26:23
Smooth talking with evil intent is like a shiny lead glaze on an earthenware pot.
Free Bible Version
In The King James Version
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
In Context
22Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
24People say nice things to you even though they hate you; deep down they're just lying to you.
Cross References
Proverbs 10:18Anyone who hides their hatred is lying, and anyone who spreads slander is stupid.
Proverbs 25:4Remove the waste from the silver, and the silversmith has pure silver to work with.
Ezekiel 33:31So my people come and visit you like they usually do. They sit and listen to the message you share, but they don't do anything about it. Even though they talk about love, all they're thinking about is how to cheat others.
Luke 11:39So the Lord told him, “You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you're 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 →