Your Majesty, listen to what I have to say. If it is the LORD who has turned you against me, an offering to him will make him change his mind; but if some people have done it, may the LORD's curse fall on them. For they have driven me out from the LORD's land to a country where I can only worship foreign gods.

Do not spread lies about anyone, and when someone is on trial for his life, speak out if your testimony can help him. I am the LORD.

I will get rid of anyone who whispers evil things about someone else; I will not tolerate anyone who is proud and arrogant.

When their rulers are thrown down from rocky cliffs, the people will admit that my words were true.

Gossip is spread by wicked people; they stir up trouble and break up friendships.

Evil people listen to evil ideas, and liars listen to lies.

Gossip is so tasty---how we love to swallow it!

Gossip brings anger just as surely as the north wind brings rain.

Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, quarreling stops.

Gossip is so tasty! How we love to swallow it!

If a ruler pays attention to false information, all his officials will be liars.

Don't pay attention to everything people say---you may hear your servant insulting you,

and you know yourself that you have insulted other people many times.

And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself.