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20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver;
    the heart of a fool is worthless.

21 The words of the godly encourage many,
    but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.

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20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
    the mind of the wicked is of little worth.(A)
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.

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31 The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice,
    but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.

32 The lips of the godly speak helpful words,
    but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.

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31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
    but the perverse tongue will be cut off.(A)
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
    but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

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11 Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper,
    but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.

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11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.(A)

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13 The wicked are trapped by their own words,
    but the godly escape such trouble.

14 Wise words bring many benefits,
    and hard work brings rewards.

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13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,
    but the righteous escape from trouble.(A)
14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
    and manual labor has its reward.(B)

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Wise words will win you a good meal,
    but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.

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From the fruit of their words good persons eat good things,
    but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing.

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28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;
    the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

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28 The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,
    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.(A)

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Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
    liars pay close attention to slander.

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An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.

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