Proverbs
King James Version (KJV)
Proverbs 26:21
“As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”
King James Version (KJV)
Proverbs 26:21 Context
18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? 20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
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Other Translations
As coales are to burning coales, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
{Like} charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
`As' coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
- American Standard Version (1901)
Like breath on coals and wood on fire, so a man given to argument gets a fight started.
- Basic English Bible
[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
- Darby Bible
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
- Webster's Bible
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
- World English Bible
Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.
- Youngs Literal Bible
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
{Like} charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
`As' coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
- American Standard Version (1901)
Like breath on coals and wood on fire, so a man given to argument gets a fight started.
- Basic English Bible
[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
- Darby Bible
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
- Webster's Bible
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
- World English Bible
Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.
- Youngs Literal Bible
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
Bible commentary
Wesley's Notes for Proverbs 26:21
26:23 Burning - With malice or hatred: A slanderous or evil tongue. Dross - Such a tongue and heart are of no real worth, although sometimes they make a shew of it, as dross does of silver.