Proverbs 26:21
A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
LXX2012 (US English)
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
20With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
22The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they strike even to the inmost parts of the bowels.
Cross References
2 Samuel 20:1And there was a transgressor so called there, and his name was Sabee, a Benjamite, the son of Bochori: and he blew the trumpet, and said, We have no portion in David, neither have we any inheritance in the son of Jessae: to your tents, O Israel, every one.
1 Kings 12:20And it came to pass when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned out of Egypt, that they sent and called him to the assembly, and they made him king over Israel: and none followed the house of David except the tribe of Juda and Benjamin only.
Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up strife; but affection covers all that do not love strife.
Proverbs 29:22A furious man stirs up strife, and a passionate man digs up sin.
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 →