Avoiding Strife and Gossip

Proverbs 26:17-22

He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Islikeone that taketh a dog by the ears.

As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?

For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

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

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.