He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
Hiding hatred behind lying and deceitful words is foolish, and uttering or spreading slander is foolish as well. The one who utters slander is a fool, and the one who spreads it is a fool. That folly includes careless or excessive words, for in such multitude of words sin is given room to enter.
Even helping to circulate a slanderous report stands condemned, though the circulator did not originate it. Speaking of the failings of others when they are absent, or when the facts are not fully known, is slanderous and hypocritical. Assertions confidently repeated in private may prove to have no evidence at all when they are tested under oath.
Slander is like deadly poison, wounding innocent persons who have done no harm. It causes serious harm and works destruction even at a distance. It is harmful speech that God condemns, belonging with gossip and speaking evil of others, and with backbiting and talebearing.
Hiding hatred behind lying and deceitful words is foolish, and uttering or spreading slander is foolish as well. The one who utters slander is a fool, and the one who spreads it is a fool. That folly includes careless or excessive words, for in such multitude of words sin is given room to enter.
Even helping to circulate a slanderous report stands condemned, though the circulator did not originate it. Speaking of the failings of others when they are absent, or when the facts are not fully known, is slanderous and hypocritical. Assertions confidently repeated in private may prove to have no evidence at all when they are tested under oath.
Slander is like deadly poison, wounding innocent persons who have done no harm. It causes serious harm and works destruction even at a distance. It is harmful speech that God condemns, belonging with gossip and speaking evil of others, and with backbiting and talebearing.