Fofoca
A fofoca destrói reputações e relacionamentos. A Bíblia condena severamente o murmúrio, a calúnia e a palavra maldosa, chamando o cristão a edificar com a boca.
O poder destrutivo
O homem perverso semeia contendas, e o que anda com fofocas separa amigos íntimos. A fofoca é veneno social.
A false man soweth contention; and a talebearer separateth very friends.
With his mouth a hypocrite destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge are the righteous delivered.
He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
He that covereth hatred hath lying lips, and he that sendeth forth a slander is a fool.
Edificar com palavras
Não saia da boca nenhuma palavra torpe, mas só a que serve para edificação. Quem fala mal do irmão fala mal da lei.
Let no corrupt word go out of your mouth, but if there be any good one for needful edification, that it may give grace to those that hear it.
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth from his heart. He that slandereth not with his tongue, doeth not evil to his companion, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour;
Blessed are ye when they may reproach and persecute you, and say every wicked thing against you, lying, for my sake.