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Proverbs 26:20
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18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, a“I was only joking!” 
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no1 talebearer, strife ceases. 
21 aAs charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife. 
22 The words of a1 talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the1 inmost body. 
23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?
<< Proverbs 26:19   Proverbs 26:21 >>

What Does Proverbs 26:20 Mean?



Proverbs 26:20

Talebearing usually involves slander, and slander feeds contention the same way wood feeds a fire. A slanderer uses falsehood to defame a reputation, which engenders conflict.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Ninth Commandment (1997)

Related Topics: Defaming | Defaming Reputation | Falsehood | Gossip | Slander | Slanderer | Speech | Talebearer | Talebearing


 
<< Proverbs 26:19   Proverbs 26:21 >>

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