¹⁶ These are six things the Lord hates,
seven things that really disgust him:

¹⁹ a false witness who breathes lies,
and a person who spreads conflict between brothers.

¹² Hatred stirs up a quarrel,
but love covers all sins.

⁹ With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor,
but righteous people are rescued by knowledge.

¹² A person who lacks sense despises his neighbor,
but an understanding person keeps silent.
¹³ A gossip goes around betraying secrets,
but a trustworthy spirit keeps a matter confidential.

²⁷ A worthless scoundrel constantly plots evil,
and from his lips comes a scorching fire.
²⁸ A perverse^[a] man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates intimate friends.

⁴ An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips.
A liar feeds upon^[a] a destructive tongue.

⁹ A person who covers an offense pursues love,
but one who repeats the matter separates friends.

⁸ The words of a gossip are like delicious food.
People gobble them right down.^[a]