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 dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters 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 corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.