11 The (A)mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
But (B)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

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11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain;
    the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

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A [a]soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it [b]crushes the spirit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:4 Lit healing
  2. Proverbs 15:4 Lit is the crushing of the spirit

Gentle words are a tree of life;
    a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

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23 A (A)person has joy in an [a]apt answer,
And how delightful is a timely (B)word!

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:23 Lit answer of his mouth

23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;
    it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

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23 The (A)heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds [a]persuasiveness to his lips.
24 (B)Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and (C)healing to the bones.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 Or learning

23 From a wise mind comes wise speech;
    the words of the wise are persuasive.

24 Kind words are like honey—
    sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:4 Or A bubbling brook, a fountain of wisdom

Wise words are like deep waters;
    wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

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21 (A)Death and life are in the [a]power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its (B)fruit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:21 Lit hand

21 The tongue can bring death or life;
    those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

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23 Like an earthenware (A)vessel overlaid with silver [a](B)impurities
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:23 Lit dross

23 Smooth[a] words may hide a wicked heart,
    just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.

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Footnotes

  1. 26:23 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads Burning.