Proverbs 26

Verse 13: See Proverbs 22:13.

Verse 16: The sluggard also thinks he is wise; he thinks he can get by in life without doing any work! (see verse 12).

Verses 18–19: These verses describe a “practical joker” who ends up hurting his neighbor. We must be very careful how we “joke” with people; we must never joke at their expense. We can laugh with them—but never at them. We must “think twice” before making jokes, lest we find ourselves shooting deadly arrows.

Verse 22: See Proverbs 18:8.

Verse 23: See Proverbs 5:3–4; Matthew 23:25–28.

Verses 24–26: In these verses, as in verse 23, Solomon describes how people cover up the evil in their hearts with charming speech. But sooner or later, their wickedness will come to light (verse 26). And even if wicked people can escape detection in this life, they will not escape detection by God (Hebrews 4:13). The same is true of those who worship God with their lips but not from their heart (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8).

Verse 27: If a man digs a pit for his neighbor to fall into, what he wished for his neighbor will recoil upon himself (see Psalm 7:15–16). In the same way, if he rolls a stone to strike his neighbor, he will end up being struck himself. God is just.

Verse 28: A flattering mouth works ruin (see Proverbs 29:5). Flattery is a form of lying; a flatterer offers false praise to another person in order to gain some advantage. Flattery usually works, because we all like to hear people praise us! But the truth is always better. True praise is encouraging to a fellow believer; true criticism is beneficial. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but the kisses of an enemy cannot! (Proverbs 27:6).