Proverbs 26:20

Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, ¹  contention ceases. ² 

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

When you run out of wood, the fire goes out; when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down.

Without wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no secret talk, argument is ended.

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, ¹  contention ceases. ² 

¹ 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).

² tn Heb “becomes silent.”