^23 (A)The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
^24 (B)Gracious words are like ^(C)a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and ^(D)health to the body.

^27 (A)A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech^[a] is like ^(B)a scorching fire.

⁵ Whoever mocks the poor ^(A)insults his Maker;
    he who is ^(B)glad at calamity will not go ^(C)unpunished.

⁷ Fine speech is not ^(A)becoming to a fool;
    still less is ^(B)false speech to a prince.

⁹ Whoever ^(A)covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter ^(B)separates close friends.

²⁷ Whoever ^(A)restrains his words has knowledge,
    and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
²⁸ Even a fool ^(B)who keeps silent is considered wise;
    when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

⁴ The words of a man's mouth are ^(A)deep waters;
    the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

¹³ If one gives an answer ^(A)before he hears,
    it is his folly and shame.

¹⁷ The one who states his case first seems right,
    until the other comes and examines him.