20 Without wood a fire goes out;

without a gossip a quarrel dies down.

21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,

so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.

22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;

they go down to the inmost parts.

23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware

are fervent lips with an evil heart.

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.

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart

Are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

20 Fire goes out without wood,

and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

21 A quarrelsome person starts fights

as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

22 Rumors are dainty morsels

that sink deep into one’s heart.

23 Smooth words may hide a wicked heart,

just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.

20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;

And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,

And they go down into the inmost body.

23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart

Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

20 Without wood, a fire will go out,

and without gossip, quarreling will stop.

21 Just as charcoal and wood keep a fire going,

a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going.

22 The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food;

people like to gobble them up.

23 Kind words from a wicked mind

are like a shiny coating on a clay pot.

20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out;

And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,

And they go down into the innermost parts.

23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart

Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth. 21 As coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23 Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are as an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

20 Without wood a fire goes out, 

and without gossip a quarrel dies down. 

21 ⸤As⸥ charcoal fuels burning coals and wood fuels fire, 

so a quarrelsome person fuels a dispute. 

22 The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, 

and they go down into a person’s innermost being. 

23 ⸤Like⸥ a clay pot covered with cheap silver, 

⸤so⸥ is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart. 

20 Without wood, fire goes out;

without a gossip, conflict dies down.

21 As charcoal for embers and wood for fire,

so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

22 A gossip’s words are like choice food

that goes down to one’s innermost being.

23 Smooth lips with an evil heart

are like glaze on an earthen vessel.

20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,

and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

21 As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire,

so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.

22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel

are smooth lips with an evil heart.

20 For lack of wood, a fire goes out,

and where there is no whisperer, quarreling will cease.

21 As charcoal is to hot embers and wood is to fire,

so a man of quarrels is to kindling strife.

22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels,

and they go down to the inner parts of the body.

23 Like impure silver which overlays an earthen vessel,

so are smooth lips and an evil heart.

20 If you don’t have wood, your fire goes out.

If you don’t talk about others, arguing dies down.

21 Coal glows. Wood burns.

And a man who argues stirs up fights.

22 The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food.

They go deep down inside you.

23 Warm words that come from an evil heart

are like shiny paint on a clay pot.

20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,

And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,

And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

23 Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross

Are burning lips and a wicked heart.