¹³ “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
    Their tongues are filled with lies.”
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”^[a]

³ Their tongues sting like a snake;
    the venom of a viper drips from their lips. Interlude

⁴ I am surrounded by fierce lions
    who greedily devour human prey—
whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,
    and whose tongues cut like swords.

²¹ His words are as smooth as butter,
    but in his heart is war.
His words are as soothing as lotion,
    but underneath are daggers!

³ They sharpen their tongues like swords
    and aim their bitter words like arrows.
⁴ They shoot from ambush at the innocent,
    attacking suddenly and fearlessly.

⁷ Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;
    their words cut like swords.
    “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.

⁴ They spit venom like deadly snakes;
    they are like cobras that refuse to listen,

¹¹ If a snake bites before you charm it,
    what’s the use of being a snake charmer?