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 perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.
The dissembler with his mouth deceiveth his friend: but the just shall be delivered by knowledge.
He that walketh deceitfully, revealeth secrets: but he that is faithful, concealeth the thing committed to him by his friend.
Lying lips hide hatred: he that uttereth reproach is foolish.
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 evil speech proceed from your mouth; but that which is good, to the edification of faith, that it may administer grace to the hearers.
I have said to the Lord, thou art my God, for thou hast no need of my goods.
To the saints, who are in his land, he hath made wonderful all my desires in them.
Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: