Proverbs 26:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

NIV: A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

NASB: A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

CSB: A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.

NLT: A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin.

KJV: A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

NKJV: A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Scripture condemns both lies and flattery (Proverbs 6:16–19; 12:22; 29:5). Hateful people often spread lies about those they hope to destroy (Proverbs 26:24–26). Deceptive people may try to catch their victims off guard by praising them, giving insincere compliments. These tactics result in disaster, both for the victim and for those who lie (Proverbs 26:27). This not only condemns such actions but teaches that it's good to avoid those who participate in them.

Earlier verses connected malicious lying with hatred (Proverbs 26:24). Lying about someone using accusations is an obvious assault on their character or conduct. Flattery is a less obvious assault. Saying positive things, or using exaggerated praise, can be highly effective. It typically makes the intended victim unsuspecting. Jesus' enemies lied about Him, hoping to have Him executed. In the end, Jesus triumphed by rising from the grave. Someday, all who hated and fought against Jesus will come to ruin. Acts 17:31 promises that God "has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man [Jesus] whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

Proverbs 26:17–28 turns from a focus on laziness to discussion about conflict. Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) warns against prying into other people's arguments, gossip, and dishonest speech. He also cautions about the danger of casual lies. How and when a person chooses to speak greatly influences their involvement in conflict.

This chapter includes three main sections. The first repeatedly refers to a "fool," meaning someone lacking godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The second warns against being lazy. The third condemns careless conflict, lying, and warns about those who disguise their hate with words. Several statements in this passage repeat or echo others made in the book of Proverbs.

Chapter 25 introduced another section of Solomon's proverbs (Proverbs 25:1). These were collected by later scribes; the list runs through the end of chapter 29. This chapter covers topics such as foolishness, laziness, and conflict. This echoes principles given in other proverbs.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.