⁹ The godless destroy their neighbors by their words,
    but the righteous are saved by their knowledge.

⁶ The words of the wicked are a deathtrap,
    but the speech of those who do right rescues them.

²⁷ Worthless people dig up trouble;
    their lips are like a scorching fire.
²⁸ Destructive people produce conflict;
    gossips alienate close friends.

⁵ Those who mock the poor insult their maker;
    those who rejoice in disaster won’t go unpunished.

⁹ One who seeks love conceals an offense,
    but one who repeats it divides friends.

⁶ The lips of fools make accusations;
    their mouths elicit beatings.

⁸ The words of gossips are like choice snacks;
    they go down to the inmost parts.

19 Better to be poor and walk in innocence
    than to have dishonest lips and be a fool.

¹⁹ Gossips reveal secrets;
    don’t associate with those who talk too much.

¹⁰ Remove the mocker and conflict disappears;
    judgment and shame also stop.