²¹ Also do not take to heart everything people say,
Lest you hear your servant cursing you.
²² For many times, also, your own heart has known
That even you have cursed others.

¹² If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,
And a flattering mouth works ^(A)ruin.

²⁰ Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no ^[a]talebearer, strife ceases.
^21 (A)As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
²² The words of a ^[b]talebearer are like ^[c]tasty trifles,
And they go down into the ^[d]inmost body.

²³ The north wind brings forth rain,
And ^(A)a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

⁴ An evildoer gives heed to false lips;
A liar listens eagerly to a ^[a]spiteful tongue.