²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

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

⁹ The heart^(A) is deceitful above all things
    and beyond cure.
    Who can understand it?

¹¹ Like apples^[a] of gold in settings of silver^(A)
    is a ruling rightly given.
¹² Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
    is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.^(B)

¹³ Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
    they value the one who speaks what is right.^(A)

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