Proverbs 26:21
As coals are to hot embers,and wood to fire,so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
New Heart English Bible
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
20For lack of wood a fire goes out.Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,they go down into the innermost parts.
Cross References
2 Samuel 20:1There happened to be there a base fellow, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew the trumpet, and said, "We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel!"
1 Kings 12:20It happened, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was returned, that they sent and called him to the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none who followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.
Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up strife,but love covers all wrongs.
Proverbs 29:22An angry man stirs up strife,and a wrathful man abounds in 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 →