Where no wood is,[ there] the fire goeth out: so where[ there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.[ As] coals[ are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so[ is] a contentious man to kindle strife.The words of a talebearer[ are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Who whet their tongue like a sword,[ and] bend[ their bows to shoot] their arrows,[ even] bitter words:That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.