¹⁹ One who ^(A)goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with ^[a](B)a gossip.

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no ^(A)gossiper, ^(B)quarreling quiets down.
²¹ Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a ^(C)contentious person to kindle strife.
²² The ^(D)words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the ^[a]innermost parts of the body.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates ^[a]those it crushes,
And a ^(A)flattering mouth works ruin.