Notice that Solomon doesn’t say anything about intention in this verse. Ultimately, intention does not matter. False witness is saying something about another that simply isn’t true. And, every time, it injures. I was reminded of this truth a while back when I learned that I had said something as a child about another child that was not true. Twenty five years later, that individual not only remembered it but suffered because of it. I don’t remember saying it, and I don’t believe I had the intention to hit with a maul or sling a sharp arrow. I probably just thought I was being funny. Clearly, whatever I intended did not matter. A person created in the image of God with an eternal soul was injured by my thoughtless words. While this is instructive to all, I want the young people to pay close attention to this verse. The words you say about others will either build life-long friendship, or they will create life-long hurt and division. Use your gift of language to bless. You will never regret it.