4 He who is hasty to trust is shallow-hearted.

He who sins offends against his own soul.

5 He who rejoices in wickedness will be condemned.[fn]

6 He who hates gossip has less wickedness.[fn]

7 Never repeat what is told you,

and you won’t lose anything.

8 Whether it is of friend or foe, don’t tell it.

Unless it is a sin to you, don’t reveal it.

9 Because if he has heard you and observed you,

when the time comes, he will hate you.

10 Have you heard something? Let it die with you.

Be brave: it will not make you burst!

11 A fool will travail in pain with a word,

as a woman in labour with a child.

12 As an arrow that sticks in the flesh of the thigh,

so is gossip in a fool.