Proverbs 26:23

23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent[a] lips with an evil heart.

Proverbs 26:23 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
English Standard Version (ESV)
23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
New Living Translation (NLT)
23 Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.
The Message Bible (MSG)
23 Smooth talk from an evil heart is like glaze on cracked pottery.
American Standard Version (ASV)
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
23 [Like] a clay pot covered with cheap silver, [so] is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
23 Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
23 Warm words that come from an evil heart are like shiny paint on a clay pot.

Proverbs 26:23 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:23

Burning lips, and a wicked heart
Either burning with wrath and malice; breathing out threatenings and slaughter; pursuing men with reproaches and slanders, arising from a wicked heart: or rather, burning with profession of love to God, and affection to good men; with great pretensions of kindness, and promises of good things, when their hearts are wicked, and they design noticing less; say one thing with their lips, with the greatest show of affection and sincerity, and mean another in their hearts. These [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross:
which at a distance, or to less discerning persons, looks like silver, and is taken for it; when the covering is only dross, and what is within is only a potsherd, Or a piece of an earthen vessel, good for nothing: such are the specious professions and deceitful words, which flow from a wicked heart.

Proverbs 26:23 In-Context

21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hebrew; Septuagint "smooth"
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