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

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11 The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life,
    but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

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The soothing tongue(A) is a tree of life,(B)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(C)

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A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but deceit in it crushes the spirit.

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23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(A)
    and how good is a timely word!(B)

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23 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth.
    How good is a word at the right time!

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23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(A)
    and their lips promote instruction.[a](B)

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(C)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive

23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
    and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
    sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

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The words of the mouth are deep waters,(A)
    but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

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The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters.
    The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

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21 The tongue has the power of life and death,(A)
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.(B)

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21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
    those who love it will eat its fruit.

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23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent[a] lips with an evil heart.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:23 Hebrew; Septuagint smooth

23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel
    are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.

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