²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

²¹ The lips of the righteous nourish many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.^(A)

³¹ From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,^(A)
    but a perverse tongue^(B) will be silenced.

³² The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,^(C)
    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.^(D)

¹¹ Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,^(A)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.^(B)

¹³ Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,^(A)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.^(B)

¹⁴ From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,^(C)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.^(D)

² From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,^(A)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

²⁸ The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,^(A)
    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.^(B)

⁴ A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
    a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.