²¹ Do not pay attention to every word people say,
    or you^(A) may hear your servant cursing you—
²² for you know in your heart
    that many times you yourself have cursed others.

¹² If a ruler^(A) listens to lies,
    all his officials become wicked.^(B)

²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
    and a flattering mouth^(A) works ruin.

²⁰ Without wood a fire goes out;
    without a gossip a quarrel dies down.^(A)
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.^(B)
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.^(C)

²³ Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
    is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

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

⁴ A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
    a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.