KJV King James Version
The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
VERSE STUDY • KJV
Proverbs 18:8
The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
WEB World English Bible
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
ASV American Standard Version
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
The words of a tale-bearer are as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down to the inner parts of the heart.
Surrounding context — Proverbs 18
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool’s mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
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Original-language word links
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Cross-references
Proverbs 16:28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.Leviticus 19:16Thou shalt not go up and down [as] a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I [am] the LORD.Proverbs 12:18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health.Proverbs 26:20-22Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.Psalm 64:3-4Who whet their tongue like a sword, [and] bend [their bows to shoot] their arrows, [even] bitter words:Psalm 52:2Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION
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