Proverbs 26:24

24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.

Proverbs 26:24 in Other Translations

KJV
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
ESV
24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;
NLT
24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you.
MSG
24 Your enemy shakes hands and greets you like an old friend, all the while conniving against you.
CSB
24 A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within.

Proverbs 26:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:24

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips
He that bears a grudge in his mind, and retains hatred in his heart against any person, hides it all he can, till he has an opportunity of showing it as he would; he pretends a great deal of friendship with his lips, that his hatred might not be known; he would be thought to be a friend, when he is really an enemy; he does not choose as yet to make himself known what he is. Some render it to a sense the reverse, "the enemy", or "he that hateth, is known by his lips" F12; so the Targum, Vulgate Latin, and Syriac versions: if you carefully watch him, mark his words, and observe what he says, you will find out the hatred that lies in his heart; he cannot forbear saying something, at one time or another, which betrays the malignity of his mind; and layeth up deceit within him;
or, "though F13 he layeth up" hides it as much as he can, yet it will show itself in some way or another.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 (rkny) "agnoscetur", Montanus, Vatablus; "cognoscetur", Tigurine version; "cognoscitur", Amama, so Luther.
F13 (w) "quamvis", Luther. apud Gejerus, Baynus.

Proverbs 26:24 In-Context

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.
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Psalms 31:18
  • 2. Psalms 41:6; Proverbs 10:18; Proverbs 12:20
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