24 Before fire is the vapor and smoke of a furnace, so insults precede bloodshed. (WEB)
Sirach 22:24
Semantically similar passages
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)
Proverbs 17:13–15
13 If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house. 14 To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out. 15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.
Proverbs 26:20–22
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. 22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
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)
Proverbs 30:32–33
32 If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth. 33 For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”
Proverbs 12:15–17
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. 16 A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. 17 He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
Sirach 27:14–16
14 Their talk with much swearing makes hair stand upright. Their strife makes others plug their ears. (WEB) 15 The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed. Their abuse of each other is a grievous thing to hear. (WEB) 16 He who reveals secrets destroys trust, and will not find a clos… (WEB)
Sirach 16:5–7
5 I have seen many such things with my eyes. My ear has heard mightier things than these. (WEB) 6 In a congregation of sinners, a fire will be kindled. In a disobedient nation, wrath is kindled. (WEB) 7 He was not pacified toward the giants of old time, who revolted in their str… (WEB)
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