God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 26:23
23⌞Like⌟ a clay pot covered with cheap silver, ⌞so⌟ is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart.
Proverbs 26:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
- New International Version (NIV)Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
Context of Proverbs 26:23
21⌞As⌟ charcoal fuels burning coals and wood fuels fire, so a quarrelsome person fuels a dispute. 22The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person’s innermost being. ⌞Like⌟ a clay pot covered with cheap silver, ⌞so⌟ is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart. 24Whoever is filled with hate disguises it with his speech, but inside he holds on to deceit. 25When he talks charmingly, do not trust him because of the seven disgusting things in his heart.
Read all of Proverbs 26Proverbs 26:23 word by word
כֶּ֣סֶף סִ֭יגִים מְצֻפֶּ֣ה עַל־חָ֑רֶשׂ שְׂפָתַ֖יִם דֹּלְקִ֣ים וְלֶב־רָֽע׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 26:23
- Proverbs 10:18Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips. Whoever spreads slander is a fool.
- 2 Samuel 20:9“How are you, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. He took hold of Amasa’s beard with his right hand to kiss him.
- Ezekiel 33:31Then they come to you, as if they are still my people, and they sit down in front of you. They listen to what you say, but they don’t do it. They say that they love me, but in their hearts they chase dishonest profits.
- Luke 22:47While he was still speaking to the disciples, a crowd arrived. The man called Judas, one of the twelve apostles, was leading them. He came close to Jesus to kiss him.
Commentaries on Proverbs 26:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Burning lips and a wicked heart - Splendid, shining, smooth lips; that is, lips which make great professions of friendship are like a vessel plated over with base metal to make it resemble silver; but it is only a vile pot, and even the outside is not pure.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Burning lips - i. e., “Lips glowing with, affection, uttering warm words of love,” joined with a malignant heart, are like a piece of broken earthenware from the furnace, which glitters with the silver drops at stick to it, but is itself worthless.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 A wicked heart disguising itself, is like a potsherd covered with the dross of silver.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23-26People sometimes hide bad intentions with flattery. Eventually, the true hatred of those who speak smoothly will be revealed.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Warm professions can no more give value to insincerity than silver coating to rude earthenware.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 26:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 26
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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