Mishle 26:23

23 Fervent sfatayim (lips) and a lev rah are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

Mishle 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.

Mishle 26:23 In-Context

21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to eish; so is a contentious ish to kindle strife.

22 The devarim of a nirgan (gossip, slanderer, talebearer) are like tasty morsels, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the beten.

23 Fervent sfatayim (lips) and a lev rah are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

24 He that hateth disguises it with his sfatayim (lips), and within harboreth mirmah (deceit);

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are sheva to’avot in his lev.