1  ^dA soft answer turns away wrath,

but ^ea harsh word stirs up anger.

2  The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,

but ^fthe mouths of fools pour out folly.

4  ^hA gentle¹ tongue is ⁱa tree of life,

but ^jperverseness in it breaks the spirit.

7  ⁿThe lips of the wise spread knowledge;

ⁿnot so the hearts of fools.¹

23  To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,

and ^oa word in season, how good it is!

26  ^tThe thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,

but ^ugracious words are pure.