Proverbs 26:21
An argumentative person fires up quarrels like putting charcoal on hot embers or wood on a fire.
Free Bible Version
In The King James Version
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
In Context
20Without wood, the fire goes out; and without gossips, arguments stop.
22Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
Cross References
2 Samuel 20:1A rabble-rouser called Sheba, son of Bichri, from the tribe of Benjamin, happened to be there. He blew the ram's horn and shouted: “We have no interest in David, no commitment to Jesse's son. Israelites, let's all go home!”
1 Kings 12:20When all the Israelites heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent for him, summoning him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah was left to the house of David.
Proverbs 10:12Hatred causes conflict, but love covers all wrongs.
Proverbs 29:22Angry people stir up trouble, those with short tempers commit many sins.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:21-23
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Contention is as a fire; it heats the spirit, burns up all that is good, and puts families and societies into a flame. Now here we are told how that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning, that we may avoid the occasions… Read the whole commentary →