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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.