Avoiding Strife and Gossip

Proverbs 26:17-22

He that passeth by and medleth with the strife that belongeth not vnto him, is as one that taketh a dog by the eares.

As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,

So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?

Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.

As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.

The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.