Proverbs 26:23

23 Smooth^[a] lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel.

Proverbs 26:23 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:23

Burning lips, and a wicked heart
Either burning with wrath and malice; breathing out threatenings and slaughter; pursuing men with reproaches and slanders, arising from a wicked heart: or rather, burning with profession of love to God, and affection to good men; with great pretensions of kindness, and promises of good things, when their hearts are wicked, and they design noticing less; say one thing with their lips, with the greatest show of affection and sincerity, and mean another in their hearts. These [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross:
which at a distance, or to less discerning persons, looks like silver, and is taken for it; when the covering is only dross, and what is within is only a potsherd, Or a piece of an earthen vessel, good for nothing: such are the specious professions and deceitful words, which flow from a wicked heart.

Proverbs 26:23 In-Context

21 As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

22 A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being.

23 Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel.

24 A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within.

25 When he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Footnotes

• [a] LXX; MT reads Burning