18 Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, 19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” 20 Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases. 21 Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
Proverbs 26:18–21
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 25:17–19
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you. 18 Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. 19 Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
Sirach 22:23–25
23 Gain trust with your neighbor in his poverty, that in his prosperity you may have gladness. Stay steadfast to him in the time of his affliction, that you may be heir with him in his inheritance. (WEB) 24 Before fire is the vapor and smoke of a furnace, so insults prece… (WEB)
Proverbs 16:26–28
26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward. 27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. 28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
Sirach 28:10–12
10 As is the fuel of the fire, so it will burn; and as the stoutness of the strife is, so it will burn. As is the strength of the man, so will be his wrath; and as is his wealth, so he will exalt his anger. (WEB) 11 A contention begun in haste kindles a fire; and hasty fi… (WEB)
Sirach 8:2–4
2 Don’t strive with a rich man, lest perhaps he overpower you; for gold has destroyed many, and turned away the hearts of kings. (WEB) 3 Don’t argue with a loudmouthed man. Don’t heap wood upon his fire. (WEB) 4 Don’t make fun of a rude man, lest your ancestors be dishonored. (WEB)
Sirach 8:9–11
9 Don’t miss the discourse of the aged, for they also learned from their parents, because from them you will learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need. (WEB) 10 Don’t kindle the coals of a sinner, lest you be burned with the flame of his fire. (WEB) 11 Don’t rise… (WEB)
Sirach 19:11–13
11 A fool will travail in pain with a word, as a woman in labor with a child. (WEB) 12 As an arrow that sticks in the flesh of the thigh, so is gossip in a fool. (WEB) 13 Question a friend; it may be he didn’t do it. If he did something, it may be that he may do it no more. (WEB)
Sirach 11:31–33
31 For he lies in wait to turn things that are good into evil, and assigns blame in things that are praiseworthy. (WEB) 32 From a spark of fire, a heap of many coals is kindled, and a sinful man lies in wait to shed blood. (WEB) 33 Take heed of an evil-doer, for he plans wicked thi… (WEB)
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