For lackof woodthe firegoesout, And where thereis nowhisperer,contentionquietsdown.
A perversemanspreadsstrife,And a slandererseparatesintimatefriends.
Driveout the scoffer,and contentionwill goout, Even strifeand dishonorwill cease.
The wordsof a whispererare like daintymorsels,And they godowninto the innermostpartsof the body.
You shall not goabout as a slandereramong your people,and you are not to actagainstthe lifeof your neighbor;I am the LORD.
Soalsothe tongueis a smallpartof the body, and [yet] it boastsof great things.Seehowgreata forestis set aflameby such a smallfire!
And the tongueis a fire,the [very] worldof iniquity;the tongueis setamongour membersas that which defilesthe entirebody,and setson firethe courseof [our] life,and is set on fireby hell.
