Proverbs 26:23-28

23 Kind words from a wicked mind are like a shiny coating on a clay pot.
24 Those who hate you may try to fool you with their words, but in their minds they are planning evil.
25 People's words may be kind, but don't believe them, because their minds are full of evil thoughts.
26 Lies can hide hate, but the evil will be plain to everyone.
27 Whoever digs a pit for others will fall into it. Whoever tries to roll a boulder down on others will be crushed by it.
28 Liars hate the people they hurt, and false praise can ruin others.

Proverbs 26:23-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 13

In this chapter is an account of a man of God being sent to exclaim against Jeroboam's altar, and threaten its destruction, of which he gave a sign, which was accomplished, and with it the withering of the king's hand, which was healed upon the prophet's prayer for him, 1Ki 13:1-7, who would have entertained him at his house, but he refused the offer, and departed, 1Ki 13:8-10, but an old prophet in Bethel hearing of him, rode after him, and fetched him back to eat bread with him, through a lie he told him, 1Ki 13:11-19 upon which the word came to the old prophet, threatening the man of God with death for disobeying his command, and which was accordingly executed by a lion that met him in the way, and slew him, 1Ki 13:20-24, of which the old prophet being informed, went and took up his carcass, and buried it in his own sepulchre, where he charged his sons to bury him also when dead, believing that all the man of God had said would be fulfilled, 1Ki 13:25-30 and the chapter is closed with observing the continuance of Jeroboam in his idolatry, 1Ki 13:33,34.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.