Proverbs 26:22
The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they strike even to the inmost parts of the bowels.
LXX2012 (US English)
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
21A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
23Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
Cross References
Proverbs 18:8Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
Ezekiel 22:9There are robbers in you, to shed blood in you; and in you they have eaten upon the mountains: they have wrought ungodliness in the midst of you.
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 →