Proverbs 11:9; Proverbs 12:6; Proverbs 16:27–28; Proverbs 17:5; Proverbs 17:9; Proverbs 18:6; Proverbs 18:8; Proverbs 19:1; Proverbs 20:19; Proverbs 22:10; Proverbs 25:9–10; Proverbs 25:23; Proverbs 26:20–23

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,

but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

The words of the wicked ilie in wait for blood,

but jthe mouth of the upright delivers them.

27  yA worthless man plots evil,

and his speech1 is like za scorching fire.

28  aA dishonest man spreads strife,

and ba whisperer cseparates close friends.

Whoever mocks the poor rinsults his Maker;

he who is sglad at calamity will not go tunpunished.

Whoever zcovers an offense seeks love,

but he who repeats a matter aseparates close friends.

A fool’s lips walk into a fight,

and his mouth invites da beating.

fThe words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into gthe inner parts of the body.

19  aBetter is a poor person who bwalks in his integrity

than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

19  Whoever egoes about slandering reveals secrets;

therefore do not associate with fa simple babbler.1

10  cDrive out a scoffer, dand strife will go out,

and equarreling and abuse will cease.

xArgue your case with your neighbor himself,

and do not reveal another’s secret,

10  lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,

and your ill repute have no end.

23  The north wind brings forth rain,

and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

20  For lack of wood the fire goes out,

and where there is no pwhisperer, qquarreling ceases.

21  As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,

so is ra quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

22  sThe words of pa whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

23  tLike the uglaze1 covering an earthen vessel

are fervent lips with an evil heart.