Proverbs 26:23
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
World Messianic 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 whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
24A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
Cross References
Proverbs 10:18He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.
Proverbs 25:4Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
Ezekiel 33:31They come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but don’t do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their gain.
Luke 11:39The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion 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 →