Proverbs 26:22
The words of cunning knaves are soft; 1 But they smite even to the inmost parts of the bowels. 1
Updated Brenton Septuagint
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; 1 And a railing man for the tumult of strife. 1
23Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: 1 Smooth lips cover a grievous heart. 1
Cross References
Proverbs 18:8Fear casts down the slothful; 1 And the souls of the effeminate shall hunger. 1
Ezekiel 22:9There are robbers in thee, to shed blood in thee; and in thee they have eaten upon the mountains: they have wrought ungodliness 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 →