Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah told the official, "Speak Aramaic to us, sir. We understand it. Don't speak Hebrew; all the people on the wall are listening."

Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah tore their clothes in grief, and went and reported to the king what the Assyrian official had said.

I am like the deaf and cannot hear, like the dumb and cannot speak.

But I trust in you, O LORD; and you, O Lord my God, will answer me.

I said, "I will be careful about what I do and will not let my tongue make me sin; I will not say anything while evil people are near."

If you correct conceited people, you will only be insulted. If you reprimand evil people, you will only get hurt.

If you answer a silly question, you are just as silly as the person who asked it.

And so, keeping quiet in such evil times is the smart thing to do!

"Do not give what is holy to dogs---they will only turn and attack you. Do not throw your pearls in front of pigs---they will only trample them underfoot.