Pro 26:20 | NET2full | STEP | Where there is no wood , a fire goes out , and where there is no gossip , contention ceases .

Proverbs 26:20

20 Where there is no wood, a fire goes out,
and where there is no gossip, ^{▼▼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).} contention ceases. ^{▼▼tn Heb “becomes silent.”}