Proverbs 26:20

26:20 Where there is no wood, a fire goes out,

and where there is no gossip, ¹  contention ceases. ² 

Proverbs 31:18

31:18 She knows ³  that her merchandise is good,

and her lamp ⁴  does not go out in the night.

[26:20]  ¹ sn Gossip (that is, the one who goes around whispering and slandering) fuels contention just as wood fuels a fire. The point of the proverb is to prevent contention – if one takes away the cause, contention will cease (e.g., 18:8).

[26:20]  ² tn Heb “becomes silent.”

[31:18]  ³ tn The first word of the ninth line begins with ט (tet), the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

[31:18]  ⁴ sn The line may be taken literally to mean that she is industrious throughout the night (“burning the midnight oil”) when she must in order to follow through a business deal (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 668); cf. TEV. But the line could also be taken figuratively, comparing “her light” to the prosperity of her household – her whole life – which continues night and day.