²³ So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the ^[a]hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.

⁴ A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.

⁴ The words of a [discreet and wise] man’s mouth are like deep waters [plenteous and difficult to fathom], and the fountain of skillful and godly Wisdom is like a gushing stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].^(A)

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer.

³⁴ You offspring of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the ^[a]superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks.

³⁵ The good man from his inner good treasure ^[b]flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse ^[c]flings forth evil things.

³⁶ But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every ^[d]idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak.

³⁷ For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.

³ He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

¹¹ So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

¹² For you shall go out [from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil into the homeland] with joy and be led forth [by your Leader, the Lord Himself, and His word] with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.