²³ The ^(A)heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds ^[a]persuasiveness to his lips.
^24 (B)Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and ^(C)healing to the bones.

²⁷ A ^(A)worthless person digs up evil,
While ^[a]his words are like ^(B)scorching fire.

⁵ One who mocks the ^(A)poor taunts his Maker;
One who ^(B)rejoices at disaster will not go unpunished.

^7 [a](A)Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are ^(B)lying lips to a prince.

⁹ One who ^(A)conceals an offense seeks love,
But one who repeats a matter ^(B)separates close friends.

²⁷ One who ^(A)withholds his words ^[a]has knowledge,
And one who has a ^(B)cool spirit is a person of understanding.
²⁸ Even a fool, when he ^(C)keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

⁴ The words of a person’s mouth are ^(A)deep waters;
^[a]The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

¹³ One who ^(A)gives an answer before he hears,
It is foolishness and shame to him.

¹⁷ The first ^[a]to plead his case seems right,
Until ^[b]another comes and examines him.