²³ The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.^[a](A)

²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb:^(B)
sweet to the taste^[b] and health to the body.^[c](C)

²⁷ A worthless person digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.^(A)

⁵ The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,^(A)
and one who rejoices over calamity
will not go unpunished.^(B)

⁷ Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.

⁹ Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,^(A)
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.^(B)