Proverbs 10:26
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Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
21 The lips of the righteous edify many; But fools die through want of understanding.
Open source ↗Observe, 1. Those that are of a slothful disposition, that love their ease and cannot apply their minds to any business, are not fit to be employed, no, not so much as to be sent on an errand, for they will neither deliver a message with any care nor make any haste back. Such therefore are very unmeet to be ministers, Christ's messengers; he will not own the sending forth of sluggards into his harvest. 2. Those that are guilty of so great an oversight as to entrust such with any affair, and put confidence in them, will certainly have vexation with them. A slothful servant is to his master as uneasy and troublesome as vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes; he provokes his passion, as vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and occasions him grief to see his business neglected and undone, as smoke sets the eyes a weeping.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed.
Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.
Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.