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?

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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)

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Proverbs 26:21 >>

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What Does Proverbs 26:20 Mean?

Proverbs 26:20

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