¹¹ If the snake bites before it is charmed,
    there is no advantage in a charmer.^(A)

¹⁷ See, I am letting snakes loose among you,
    adders that cannot be charmed,
    and they shall bite you,
            says the Lord.^(A)

⁴ They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
    like the deaf adder that stops its ear,^(A)
5 so that it does not hear the voice of charmers
    or of the cunning enchanter.^(B)

³ who whet their tongues like swords,
    who aim bitter words like arrows,^(A)

²     you are plotting destruction.
Your tongue is like a sharp razor,
    you worker of treachery.^(A)

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
    and those who love it will eat its fruits.^(A)