Proverbs 26:23
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
King James Version
In Context
22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
Cross References
Proverbs 10:18He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
Proverbs 25:4Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
Ezekiel 33:31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
Luke 11:39And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening 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 →