¹⁶ You shall not go up and down as a dispenser of gossip and scandal among your people, nor shall you [secure yourself by false testimony or by silence and] endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the Lord.

¹³ He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden.

¹⁹ He who loves strife and is quarrelsome loves transgression and involves himself in guilt; he who raises high his gateway and is boastful and arrogant invites destruction.

⁸ The words of a whisperer or talebearer are as dainty morsels; they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

¹⁹ He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore associate not with him who talks too freely.^(A)

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.

²² The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim’s nature].