Proverbs 26:23
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
Noyes Bible
In The King James Version
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
In Context
22The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
24The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
Cross References
Proverbs 10:18He that hideth hatred hath lying lips; And he that uttereth slander is a fool.
Proverbs 25:4Take away the dross from the silver, And there will come forth a vessel for the founder;
Ezekiel 33:31And they come to thee, as the people assembleth, and they sit before thee, as my people, and they hear thy words: but will not do them; for with their mouth they do what is lovely, but their heart goeth after gain.
Luke 11:39But the Lord said to him, Now ye Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inside is full of rapacity 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 →