⁶ The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.^(A)

¹⁸ The words of the reckless pierce like swords,^(A)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.^(B)

⁴ The soothing tongue^(A) is a tree of life,^(B)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.^(C)

²¹ The tongue has the power of life and death,^(A)
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.^(B)