Proverbs 26:23
Like the glaze overlaying an earthen vessel 1 so are burning lips and an evil heart. 1
Unlocked Literal 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 gossip are like delicious morsels; 1 they go down into the inner parts of the body. 1
24One who hates others disguises his feelings with his lips 1 and he lays up deceit within himself. 1
Cross References
Proverbs 10:18Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips, 1 and whoever spreads slander is a fool. 1
Proverbs 25:4Remove the dross from the silver 1 and a metal worker can use the silver in his craft. 1
Ezekiel 33:31So my people will come to you, as they often do, and will sit in front of you and listen to your words, but they will not obey them. Right words are in their mouths, but their hearts are going after unjust profit.
Luke 11:39But the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of cups and bowls, but the inside of you is filled with greed and evil.
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 →