Proverbs 16:27-28

²⁷ A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. ²⁸ A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

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Other Translations of Proverbs 16:27-28

King James Version

²⁷ An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. ²⁸ A froward man soweth soweth: Heb. sendeth forth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

English Standard Version

²⁷ A worthless man plots evil, and his speechHebrew what is on his lips is like a scorching fire. ²⁸ A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

The Message

²⁷ Mean people spread mean gossip; their words smart and burn. ²⁸ Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships.

New King James Version

²⁷ An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. ²⁸ A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

New Living Translation

²⁷ Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. ²⁸ A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 16:27-28

Commentary on Proverbs 16:27-28

(Read Proverbs 16:27-28)

Ungodly men bestow more pains to do mischief than would be needful to do good. The whisperer separates friends: what a hateful, but how common a character!