Proverbs Chapter 26 verse 23 Holy Bible
Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are `like' an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
read chapter 26 in ASV
Smooth lips and an evil heart are like a vessel of earth plated with silver waste.
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Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
read chapter 26 in DARBY
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
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read chapter 26 in WBT
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel Are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
read chapter 26 in WEB
Silver of dross spread over potsherd, `Are' burning lips and an evil heart.
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Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 23. - The next proverbs are concerned with hypocrisy. The Hebrew denotes the comparison simply by position (see on Proverbs 25:11), thus: An earthen vessel (or, potsherd) overlaid with silver dross - growing lips and a wicked heart. So called "silver dross" is litharge, an oxide of lead used to this day to put a glaze on pottery (comp. Ecclus. 38:30). The comparatively worthless article is thus made to assume a fine appearance. Thus lips that seem to burn with affection, and give the kiss of glowing, love, may mask a heart filled with envy and hatred Judas kisses and words of friendship hide the bad feelings that lurk within. Septuagint, "Silver given with guile is to be considered as a potsherd; smooth (λεῖα) lips hide a grievous heart" (comp. Matthew 23:27).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(23) Burning lips--i.e., burning with love, while there is an evil heart within.A potsherd covered with silver dross.--Pottery glazed with dross of silver, a well-known method of ornamentation. For similar proverbs, comp. Matthew 23:27; Luke 11:39.