The wordsof a whispererare like daintymorsels,And they godowninto the innermostpartsof the body.
Your tonguedevisesdestruction,Like a sharprazor,O workerof deceit.
Thereis one who speaksrashlylike the thrustsof a sword,But the tongueof the wisebringshealing.
A perversemanspreadsstrife,And a slandererseparatesintimatefriends.
A fool'smouthis his ruin,And his lipsare the snareof his soul.
He alsowho is slackin his workIs brotherto him who destroys.
You shall not goabout as a slandereramong your people,and you are not to actagainstthe lifeof your neighbor;I am the LORD.
