Another interpretation, Rav Asi said: A person does not utter malicious speech until he denies the existence of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Those who said: With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own. Who is a lord over us?” (Psalms 12:5). Rabbi Shimon said: If the righteous Miriam, who did not intend to utter malicious speech, but spoke out only because of procreation,22Her comment about Moses was that he had separated from his wife.
She thought it proper that he should take her back and have children with her. this befell her, the wicked who intend to utter malicious speech about their counterparts in order to cut short their lives, all the more so that the Holy One blessed be He should sever their tongues, as it is stated: “May the Lord sever all flattering lips [and the tongue that boasts]” (Psalms 12:4). The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘In this world, because there were speakers of malicious speech in your midst, I removed My Divine Presence from your midst, as it is stated: “Rise above the heavens, God” (Psalms 57:6).23See Devarim Rabbah 5:10.
But in the future, when I will uproot the evil inclination from your midst, as it is stated: “I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26), I will restore My Divine Presence to your midst.’ From where is this derived? It is as it is stated: “It will be thereafter, I will pour My spirit upon all flesh…” (Joel 3:1). [God said:] ‘As a result of My restoring My Divine Presence upon you, all of you will merit to study the Torah and will reside in peace in the world,’ as it is stated: “All your children will be disciples of the Lord and the peace of your children will be abundant” (Isaiah 54:13).