17. A blow from a whip raises a welt,but a blow from the tongue will break bones.
18. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,but not as many as by the tongue.
19. Happy the one who is sheltered from it,and has not endured its wrath;Who has not borne its yokenor been bound with its chains.
20. For its yoke is a yoke of iron,and its chains are chains of bronze;
21. The death it inflicts is an evil death,even Sheol is preferable to it.
22. It will have no power over the godly,nor will they be burned in its flame.
23. But those who forsake the Lord will fall victim to it,as it burns among them unquenchably;It will hurl itself against them like a lion,and like a leopard, it will tear them to pieces.
24. As you fence in your property with thorns,so make a door and a bolt for your mouth.
25. As you lock up your silver and gold,so make balances and scales for your words.
26. Take care not to slip by your tongueand fall victim to one lying in ambush.