15 A ·gentle [soft; tender] answer ·will calm a person’s anger [^Lturns back/^Taway wrath],
but an ·unkind [painful; sharp] answer ·will cause more [raises] anger.

² Wise people use knowledge when they speak,
but fools ·pour out [bubble forth with] foolishness.

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.

⁷ Wise people use their ·words [^Llips] to ·spread [scatter; disperse] knowledge,
but there is no knowledge in the ·thoughts [hearts; minds] of fools.

²³ People enjoy giving ·good advice [^La right reply].
Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing.

²⁶ The Lord ·hates [detests] evil ·thoughts [or plans]
but ·is pleased with kind words [^Lpleasing words are pure].