8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
8 The words of a talebearer
8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
8 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?
8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
8 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart.
20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
20 Where no
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
20 When you run out of wood, the fire goes out; when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down.
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
20 Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
(Read Proverbs 26:20-22)
Contention heats the spirit, and puts families and societies into a flame. And that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning by whisperers and backbiters.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 18:8
Commentary on Proverbs 18:8
(Read Proverbs 18:8)
How base are those that sow contention! and what fatal effects may be expected from small beginnings of jealousy!