Bible verse

Proverbs 26:21

Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Proverbs 26:21 · BSB

Proverbs 26:21 in context

The verses around it, from Proverbs 26.

17 Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.

18 Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,

19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

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.

23 Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.

24 A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.

25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.

Read all of Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26:21 in other translations

KJV

[As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.

ASV

As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

ERV

As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.

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Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.