17 Laying hold on the ears of a dog, 'Is' a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.

18 As 'one' pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death, 19 So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, 'Am not I playing?'

20 Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth, 21 Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife. 22 The words of a tale-bearer 'are' as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down 'to' the inner parts of the heart.

23 Silver of dross spread over potsherd, 'Are' burning lips and an evil heart.

24 By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit, 25 When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations 'are' in his heart. 26 Hatred is covered by deceit, Revealed is its wickedness in an assembly.

27 Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And the roller of a stone, to him it turneth.

28 A lying tongue hateth its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth worketh an overthrow!

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 26:17-28

Commentary on Proverbs 26:17

(Read Proverbs 26:17)

To make ourselves busy in other men's matters, is to thrust ourselves into temptation.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:18-19

(Read Proverbs 26:18-19)

He that sins in jest, must repent in earnest, or his sin will be his ruin.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:20-22

(Read Proverbs 26:20-22)

Contention heats the spirit, and puts families and societies into a flame. And that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning by whisperers and backbiters.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:23

(Read Proverbs 26:23)

A wicked heart disguising itself, is like a potsherd covered with the dross of silver.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:24-26

(Read Proverbs 26:24-26)

Always distrust when a man speaks fair unless you know him well. Satan, in his temptations, speaks fair, as he did to Eve; but it is madness to give credit to him.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:27

(Read Proverbs 26:27)

What pains men take to do mischief to others! but it is digging a pit, it is rolling a stone, hard work; and they prepare mischief to themselves.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:28

(Read Proverbs 26:28)

There are two sorts of lies equally detestable. A slandering lie, the mischief of this every body sees. A flattering lie, which secretly works ruin. A wise man will be more afraid of a flatterer than of a slanderer.