^7 [a](A)Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are ^(B)lying lips to a prince.

⁹ One who ^(A)conceals an offense seeks love,
But one who repeats a matter ^(B)separates close friends.

²⁷ One who ^(A)withholds his words ^[a]has knowledge,
And one who has a ^(B)cool spirit is a person of understanding.
²⁸ Even a fool, when he ^(C)keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

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

¹³ One who ^(A)gives an answer before he hears,
It is foolishness and shame to him.

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

²⁰ With the ^[a](A)fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
^(B)He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
^21 (C)Death and life are in the ^[b]power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its ^(D)fruit.

^3 (A)Avoiding strife is an honor for a person,
But any fool will ^[a]quarrel.

¹¹ One who loves ^(A)purity of heart
And ^[a]whose speech is ^(B)gracious, the king is his friend.