Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Bread of deceit - bread obtained by deceit (Proverbs 4:17; Proverbs 23:3). If the Qeri' reading, as in the English version, Proverbs 20:16, be taken, "bread of deceit" will mean secret adultery, sweet at the time, but deadly in the end: 'Nocet empta dolore voluptas'-Fatal is the pleasure bought with pain (Job 20:12-16).
But afterward his mouth shall be filled with gravel. Grit often mixes with bread baked in the ashes, according to the eastern custom (Lamentations 3:16).