¹² If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be wicked.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates its victims,
    and a flattering mouth works ruin.^(A)

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goes out,
    and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.^(A)
21 As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.^(B)
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.^(C)

²³ The north wind produces rain,
    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.^(A)

⁸ The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.^(A)

⁴ An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.

²⁸ A perverse person spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.^(A)