Proverbs 26:22
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
Leeser Tanakh
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
23Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
Cross References
Proverbs 18:8The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
Ezekiel 22:9Tale-bearers [also] were within thee, in order to shed blood; and upon the mountains did they eat within thee; incest did they commit 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 →