¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,^(A)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.^(B)

⁴ The tongue that heals is a tree of life,^(A)
but a devious tongue^[a] breaks the spirit.

²³ A person takes joy in giving an answer;^[a]
and a timely word—how good that is!^(A)

²³ The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.^[a](A)

²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb:^(B)
sweet to the taste^[b] and health to the body.^[c](C)

⁴ The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,^(A)
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.^[a]

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.^(A)

²³ Smooth^[a] lips with an evil heart
are like glaze on an earthen vessel.^(A)