Proverbs 26:21
As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
Geneva Bible 1599
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 is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
22The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
Cross References
2 Samuel 20:1Then there was come thither a wicked man (named Sheba the sonne of Bichri, a man of Iemini) and hee blew the trumpet, and saide, Wee haue no part in Dauid, neither haue we inheritance in the sonne of Ishai: euery man to his tents, O Israel.
1 Kings 12:20And when all Israel had heard that Ieroboam was come againe, they sent and called him vnto the assemblie, and made him King ouer all Israel: none followed the house of Dauid, but the tribe of Iudah onely.
Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirreth vp contentions: but loue couereth all trespasses.
Proverbs 29:22An angrie man stirreth vp strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
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 →