Proverbs 18:8 (GNV)

Passage

The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 18:6 A fooles lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes.

Proverbs 18:7 A fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule.

Proverbs 18:8 The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.

Proverbs 18:9 He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.

Proverbs 18:10 The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth vnto it, and is exalted.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "wordes", "tale", "bearer", "flatterings", "downe", "bowels", and "belly". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "wordes" and "tale", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 7's "A fooles mouth is his owne destruction..." into verse 9's "He also that is slouthfull in his...", so "wordes" and "tale" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "wordes" and "tale" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.