28:14 Slander has shaken many, and scattered them from nation
to nation, and destroyed strong
cities, and overturned the houses of great men.
28:15 Slander has driven away courageous women, and deprived them
of the fruit of their toil.
28:16 Whoever pays heed to slander will not find rest, nor will
he settle down in peace.
28:17 The blow of a whip raises a welt, but a blow of the tongue
crushes the bones.
28:18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many
as have fallen because of the
tongue.
28:19 Happy is the man who is protected from it, who has not been
exposed to its anger, who has
not borne its yoke, and has not been bound with its fetters;
28:20 for its yoke is a yoke of iron, and its fetters are fetters
of bronze;
28:21 its death is an evil death, and Hades is preferable to it.
28:22 It will not be master over the godly, and they will not be
burned in its flame.
28:23 Those who forsake the Lord will fall into its power; it
will burn among them and will not be
put out. It will be sent out against them like a lion; like a
leopard it will mangle them.
28:24 See that you fence in your property with thorns, lock up
your silver and gold,
28:25 make balances and scales for your words, and make a door
and a bolt for your mouth.
28:26 Beware lest you err with your tongue, lest you fall before
him who lies in wait. 24:1 Wisdom will praise herself, and will
glory in the midst of her people.