Proverbs 26:23-28
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
23 Like a glazed finish on earthenware
are smooth lips and a wicked heart.[a]
24 With their lips enemies pretend,
but inwardly they maintain deceit;
25 When they speak graciously, do not trust them,(A)
for seven abominations[b] are in their hearts.
26 Hatred can be concealed by pretense,
but malice will be revealed in the assembly.[c]
27 Whoever digs a pit falls into it;
and a stone comes back upon the one who rolls it.(B)
28 The lying tongue is its owner’s enemy,
and the flattering mouth works ruin.
Footnotes
- 26:23 Heart = what is within, and lips (words) = what is expressed, are compared to an earthenware jar covered with glaze.
- 26:25 Seven abominations: many evil intentions.
- 26:26 Hate may be concealed for a time, but it will eventually issue in a deed and become known in the public assembly. There is a play on words: the consonants of the word “hatred” (ś’n) are literally concealed in the word “pretense” (mś’n).
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