⁴ 
A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,
But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.

²³ 
A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer,
And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!

²³ 
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom]
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
²⁴ 
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

⁴ 
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];
The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].

²¹ 
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.^(A)

²³ 
Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]
Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.