12If you blow on a spark, it turns into flame,

if you spit on it, it dies out;

yet both you do with your mouth!

13Cursed be gossips and the double-tongued,

for they destroy the peace of many.g

14A meddlesome tongue subverts many,

and makes them refugees among peoples.

It destroys strong cities,

and overthrows the houses of the great.

15A meddlesome tongue drives virtuous women from their homes,

and robs them of the fruit of their toil.

16Whoever heed it will find no rest,

nor will they dwell in peace.

17A blow from a whip raises a welt,

but a blow from the tongue will break bones.

18Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,

but not as many as by the tongue.h

19Happy the one who is sheltered from it,

and has not endured its wrath;

Who has not borne its yoke

nor been bound with its chains.

20For its yoke is a yoke of iron,

and its chains are chains of bronze;

21The death it inflicts is an evil death,

even Sheol is preferable to it.

22It will have no power over the godly,

nor will they be burned in its flame.

23But those who forsake the Lord will fall victim to it,

as it burns among them unquenchably;

It will hurl itself against them like a lion,

and like a leopard, it will tear them to pieces.

24As you fence in your property with thorns,

so make a door and a bolt for your mouth.i

25As you lock up your silver and gold,

so make balances and scales for your words.

26Take care not to slip by your tongue

and fall victim to one lying in ambush.