Psalms 140:11

9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10 Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.

13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.
KJV
Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
WEB
An evil speaker won’t be established on the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
ASV
An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth: Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
DARBY
Let not the man of [evil] tongue be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the man of violence to [his] ruin.
BLB
A man of tongues, do not let him be established in the earth; a man of violence, may evil hunt him to overflowing!
ÅB
En munnkspiste mann skal ikke bli stående i landet; den mann som gjør ugudelig vold, ham skal han jage med slag på slag.
OTB
Måtte en baktaler ikke holde ut på jorden;
Måtte ondskap forfølge en voldelig mann til hans undergang.
B1930
En munnkåt mann skal ikke bli stående i landet; den mann som gjør ugudelig vold, ham skal han jage med slag på slag.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references