¹² People ·without good sense [who lack sense/heart] ·find fault with [despise; belittle] their neighbors,
but those with understanding keep quiet.

¹⁸ ·Careless [Chattering] words stab like a sword,
but ·wise words bring [^La wise tongue brings] healing.

⁴ ·As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life [^LA healthy/healing tongue is a tree of life],
but ·dishonest [deceitful; perverse] words crush the spirit.

²⁷ ·Useless [Worthless] people ·make evil plans [^Ldig up evil],
and their ·words [^Llips] are like a burning fire.

²³ As the north wind brings rain,
·telling gossip [^La hidden tongue] brings angry looks.

² Curses ·will not harm someone who is innocent [that are undeserved never stick];
they are like ·darting [flitting] birds or flying swallows.