²³ The ^(A)heart of the wise gives insight to his mouth
And increases learning to his lips.
^24 (B)Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and ^(C)healing to the bones.

²⁷ A ^(A)vile man digs up evil,
And the words on his lips are like ^(B)scorching fire.

⁵ He who mocks the ^(A)poor reproaches his Maker;
He who is ^(B)glad at disaster will not go unpunished.

^7 (A)Excellent lips are not fitting for a ^[a]wicked fool,
Even less are ^(B)lying lips for a noble man.

⁹ He who ^(A)covers a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter ^(B)separates close companions.

²⁷ He who ^(A)holds back his words ^[a]has knowledge,
And he who has a ^(B)cool spirit is a man of discernment.
²⁸ Even an ignorant fool, when he ^(C)keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered understanding.

⁴ The words of a man’s mouth are ^(A)deep waters;
^[a]The fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook.

¹³ He who ^(A)responds with a word before he hears,
It is folly and shame to him.

¹⁷ The first ^[a]to plead his case seems right,
Until ^[b]another comes and examines him.