Proverbs 26:20 · KJV
“Where no wood is, {there} the fire goeth out: so where {there is} no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. {Where no...: Heb. Without wood} {talebearer: or, whisperer} {ceaseth: Heb. is silent}”
— Proverbs 26:20
So {is} the man {that} deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
{As} coals {are} to burning coals, and wood to fire; so {is} a contentious man to kindle strife.
Proverbs 26 — Context
As a mad {man} who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, {firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks}
19So {is} the man {that} deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20Where no wood is, {there} the fire goeth out: so where {there is} no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. {Where no...: Heb. Without wood} {talebearer: or, whisperer} {ceaseth: Heb. is silent}
21{As} coals {are} to burning coals, and wood to fire; so {is} a contentious man to kindle strife.
22The words of a talebearer {are} as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. {innermost...: Heb. chambers}
Cross References
Proverbs 16:28
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. {soweth: Heb. sendeth forth}
Proverbs 22:10
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
James 3:6
And the tongue {is} a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. {course: Gr. wheel}
Proverbs 26:22
The words of a talebearer {are} as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. {innermost...: Heb. chambers}