¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life;
But ^[a]violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

^4 [a]A gentle tongue is a tree of life;
But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

²³ A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth;
And a word in due season, how good is it!

²³ The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth,
And addeth learning to his lips.
²⁴ Pleasant words are as a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

⁴ The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;
^[a]The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²³ Fervent lips and a wicked heart
Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.