Proverbs 26:26

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

Proverbs 26:26 in Other Translations

KJV
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
ESV
26 though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
NLT
26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.
MSG
26 No matter how cunningly he conceals his malice, eventually his evil will be exposed in public.
CSB
26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly.

Proverbs 26:26 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:26

[Whose] hatred is covered by deceit
The hatred of whose heart is covered by deceitful words, and strong expressions of love and esteem; so that those to whom they are made are deceived by them. Or, whose "hatred is covered in a waste or desert place" F14; it being not seen; as what is done in desert places is not obvious to view, being little frequented; which agrees with what follows, and keeps up the antithesis between the two clauses: Schultens renders it, with a tumultuous noise, with loud and public acclamations; see ( Zechariah 4:7 ) ; his wickedness shall be showed before the [whole] congregation;
in an open court of judicature, where he shall be brought, arraigned, and tried for his wickedness; which, though covertly done, shall be exposed and proved upon him: or before the church of God, where he shall be convicted by the word, and be obliged to acknowledge his sin; and, in a member, be reproved before all, and rejected: or however, at the great day of judgment, before angels and men, when all will be convened together; and where every secret work will be brought, and will be brought to light, and receive its just reward.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 (Nwavmb) "in desolatione", Montanus; "in solitudine", Baynus, Vatablus; "in vastatione", Tigurine version; "in vastitate", Mercerus, Piscator, so Ben Melech.

Proverbs 26:26 In-Context

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.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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