11 Because of something spoken,a fool will suffer labor painslike those caused by a babyabout to be delivered.
12 Like an arrow stuck in a thigh,so is a word in the belly of a fool.
13 Question a friend;perhaps he didn’t do it.And if he did, question himso he doesn’t do it again.
14 Question a neighbor;perhaps she didn’t say it.And if she did say it,question her so that she doesn’t repeat it.
15 Question a friend, because it oftenturns out to be a false accusation.Don’t trust everything that is said.
16 There are those who slip,and it wasn’t intentional.Who hasn’t sinned with the tongue?
17 Question your neighborbefore issuing a threat,and give the Law of the Most Highits place.