⁸ The words of a tale-bearer `are' as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down `to' the inner parts of the heart.

¹⁶ `Thou dost not go slandering among thy people; thou dost not stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I `am' Jehovah.

²⁸ A froward man sendeth forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.

² Mischiefs doth thy tongue devise, Like a sharp razor, working deceit.

¹⁸ A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.

²⁰ Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth,

²¹ Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.

²² The words of a tale-bearer `are' as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down `to' the inner parts of the heart.

³ Who sharpened as a sword their tongue, They directed their arrow -- a bitter word.

⁴ To shoot in secret places the perfect, Suddenly they shoot him, and fear not.