²³ The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth,
And addeth learning to his lips.
²⁴ Pleasant words are as a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

²⁷ A worthless man ^[a]deviseth mischief;
And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

⁵ Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker;
And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

^7 [a]Excellent speech becometh not a fool;
Much less do lying lips a prince.

⁹ He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;
But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

²⁷ He ^[a]that spareth his words hath knowledge;
And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
²⁸ Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise;
^[b]When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent.

⁴ The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;
^[a]The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

¹³ He that giveth answer before he heareth,
It is folly and shame unto him.

¹⁷ He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;
But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

²⁰ A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth;
With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.