Proverbs 26:20

Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, ¹  contention ceases. ² 

biblegateway Pro 26:20

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

biblegateway Pro 26:20

For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

biblegateway Pro 26:20

Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

biblegateway Pro 26:20

When you run out of wood, the fire goes out; when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down.

SABDAweb Pro 26:20

Without wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no secret talk, argument is ended.

bibleoremus Pro 26:20

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

biblegateway Pro 26:20

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

biblegateway Pro 26:20

Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, ¹  contention ceases. ² 

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).

² tn Heb “becomes silent.”