^23 (A)The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
^24 (B)Gracious words are like ^(C)a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and ^(D)health to the body.

^27 (A)A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech^[a] is like ^(B)a scorching fire.

⁵ Whoever mocks the poor ^(A)insults his Maker;
    he who is ^(B)glad at calamity will not go ^(C)unpunished.

⁷ Fine speech is not ^(A)becoming to a fool;
    still less is ^(B)false speech to a prince.

⁹ Whoever ^(A)covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter ^(B)separates close friends.