Sirach 28:12-14

Revised Standard Version

The Evil Tongue

¹²If you blow on a spark, it will glow;
if you spit on it, it will be put out;
and both come out of your mouth.

¹³Curse the whisperer and deceiver,
    for he has destroyed many who were at peace.
¹⁴Slander^[a] has shaken many,
    and scattered them from nation to nation,
and destroyed strong cities,
    and overturned the houses of great men.

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Footnotes

Sirach 28:14 Gk a third tongue

Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.