²³ The heart^[a] of the wise will make his mouth judicious,
    and upon his lips, it^[b] will add persuasiveness.
²⁴ Pleasant sayings are a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.

²⁷ A man of wickedness concocts evil,
    and his lips are like a scorching fire.

⁵ He who mocks the poor insults him who made him;
    he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

⁷ Fine speech^[a] is not becoming a fool,
    still less^[b] is false speech^[c] for a ruler.

⁹ He who forgives an affront fosters love,
    but he who waits on a matter will alienate a friend.

²⁷ He who spares his sayings knows knowledge,
    and a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
²⁸ Even a fool who keeps silent shall be considered wise;^[a]
    he who closes his lips is intelligent.

⁴ Deep waters are words of the mouth of a man;
    a gushing stream is a fountain of wisdom.

¹³ He who returns a word before he will hear,
    folly itself belongs to him as well as^[a] shame.

¹⁷ The first in his dispute is deemed righteous,
    but his neighbor will come and examine him.

²⁰ From the fruit of a man’s mouth, his stomach will be satisfied,
    as for the yield of his lips, it will satisfy.
²¹ Death and life are in the power^[a] of the tongue,
    and those who love her^[b] will eat of her fruit.