⁷ Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults,
and whoever warns a wicked person invites abuse.
⁸ Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you.
Warn a wise person, and he will love you.
⁹ Give advice to a wise person, and he will become even wiser.
Teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning.

¹⁰ Whoever winks at evil causes trouble,
and a babbling fool will be ruined.
¹¹ The mouth of a righteous person is a fountain of life,
but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.^[a]

¹³ Wisdom is found on the lips of a discerning person,
but a rod is appropriate for the back of one who lacks sense.
¹⁴ Wise people store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a stubborn fool brings ruin.

¹³ Wisdom is found on the lips of a discerning person,
but a rod is appropriate for the back of one who lacks sense.
¹⁴ Wise people store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a stubborn fool brings ruin.

¹³ A gossip goes around betraying secrets,
but a trustworthy spirit keeps a matter confidential.

¹³ The rebellion on his lips is a trap for an evil person,
but a righteous person gets out of trouble.
¹⁴ From the fruit of his lips a person is filled with good,
and the labor of a person’s hands returns to him.

¹⁶ A stubborn fool immediately lets his annoyance be known,
but a sensible person overlooks an insult.
¹⁷ Whoever breathes the truth proclaims righteousness,
but a lying witness is deceitful.
¹⁸ Some people wield reckless words like the thrusts of a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
¹⁹ Truthful lips are established forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

²² Lying lips are disgusting to the Lord,
but those who act truthfully gain his favor.
²³ A man who is shrewd conceals his knowledge,
but the hearts of fools broadcast stupidity.

²⁵ Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word brings him joy.

² From the fruit of his mouth a person eats well,
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
³ Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life.
Whoever opens his lips carelessly ruins himself.