13 Cursed be gossips and the double-tongued, for they destroy the peace of many.

14 A meddlesome tongue subverts many, and makes them refugees among the peoples; It destroys walled cities, and overthrows powerful dynasties.

15 A meddlesome tongue can drive virtuous women from their homes and rob them of the fruit of their toil;

16 Whoever heeds it has no rest, nor can he dwell in peace.

17 A blow from a whip raises a welt, but a blow from the tongue smashes bones;

18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not as many as by the tongue.

19 Happy he who is sheltered from it, and has not endured its wrath; Who has not borne its yoke nor been fettered with its chain;

20 For its yoke is a yoke of iron and its chains are chains of bronze!

21 Dire is the death it inflicts, besides which even the nether world is a gain;

22 It will not take hold among the just nor scorch them in its flame,

23 But those who forsake the LORD will fall victims to it, as it burns among them unquenchably! It will hurl itself against them like a lion; like a panther, it will tear them to pieces.

24 As you hedge round your vineyard with thorns, set barred doors over your mouth;

25 As you seal up your silver and gold, so balance and weigh your words.