²⁸ A perverse person stirs up conflict,^(A)
    and a gossip separates close friends.^(B)

²⁰ Without wood a fire goes out;
    without a gossip a quarrel dies down.^(A)

⁸ The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.^(A)

⁵ Those who flatter their neighbors
    are spreading nets for their feet.^(A)

²³ Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
    rather than one who has a flattering tongue.^(A)