Proverbs 26:20-22,28 - Compare All Versions
Proverbs 26:20-22 NIV (New International Version)
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
Proverbs 26:28 NIV (New International Version)
A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs 26:20-22 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Proverbs 26:28 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs 26:20-22 NLT (New Living Translation)
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood. Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
Proverbs 26:28 NLT (New Living Translation)
A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin.
Proverbs 26:20-22 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down. As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.
Proverbs 26:28 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Proverbs 26:20-22 KJV (King James Version)
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; So is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Proverbs 26:28 KJV (King James Version)
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Proverbs 26:20-22 NKJV (New King James Version)
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
Proverbs 26:28 NKJV (New King James Version)
A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs 26:20-22 MSG (The Message)
When you run out of wood, the fire goes out; when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down. A quarrelsome person in a dispute is like kerosene thrown on a fire. Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you want junk like that in your belly?
Proverbs 26:28 MSG (The Message)
Liars hate their victims; flatterers sabotage trust.
Proverbs 26:20-22 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)
For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no gossiper, quarreling quiets down. Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious person to kindle strife. The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
Proverbs 26:28 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs 26:20-22 AMP (Amplified Bible)
For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down. Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. [Prov 15:18; 29:22] The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten]; They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon]. [Prov 18:8]
Proverbs 26:28 AMP (Amplified Bible)
A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs 26:20-22 NET (New English Translation)
Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, contention ceases. Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife. The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into a person’s innermost being.
Proverbs 26:28 NET (New English Translation)
A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.