²⁵ Anxiety weighs down the human heart,
    but a good word cheers it up.^(A)

²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

¹³ A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.^(A)

²² A cheerful heart is a good medicine,
    but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.^(A)

⁴ The Lord God has given me
    a trained tongue,^[a]
that I may know how to sustain
    the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens,
    wakens my ear
    to listen as those who are taught.^(A)

²³ To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,
    and a word in season, how good it is!^(A)

¹⁸ Rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.^(A)

⁹ Perfume and incense make the heart glad,
    but the soul is torn by trouble.^[a]