Proverbs 26:20-26
Lexham English Bible
20 For lack of wood, a fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling will cease.
21 As charcoal is to hot embers and wood is to fire,
so a man of quarrels is to kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels,
and they go down to the inner parts of the body.
23 Like impure silver[a] which overlays an earthen vessel,
so are smooth lips and an evil heart[b].
24 On his lips, an enemy will pretend,
but inside[c] he will harbor deceit.
25 When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him,
for seven abominations are in his heart.
26 Though hatred is covered with guile,
its evil will be exposed in the assembly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:23 Literally “silver of impurities”
- Proverbs 26:23 Or “mind”
- Proverbs 26:24 Literally “in his midst”
Proverbs 26:20-26
New International Version
20 Without wood a fire goes out;
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.(A)
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.(B)
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.(C)
23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
are fervent[a] lips with an evil heart.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,(D)
but in their hearts they harbor deceit.(E)
25 Though their speech is charming,(F) do not believe them,
for seven abominations fill their hearts.(G)
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:23 Hebrew; Septuagint smooth
Proverbs 26:28
Lexham English Bible
28 A tongue of deceit hates its victim,
and a flattering mouth makes ruin.
Proverbs 26:28
New International Version
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth(A) works ruin.
2012 by Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.