21  ^tDeath and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

11  By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but ^oby the mouth of the wicked ^pit is overthrown.

3  ^tWhoever guards his mouth preserves his life;

^uhe who opens wide his lips ^vcomes to ruin.

11  He who ^floves purity of heart,

and whose ^gspeech is gracious, ^hwill have the king as his friend.

6  The words of the wicked ⁱlie in wait for blood,

but ^jthe mouth of the upright delivers them.

11  A fool gives full vent to his spirit,

but a wise man quietly holds it back.

4  ^hA gentle¹ tongue is ⁱa tree of life,

but ^jperverseness in it breaks the spirit.

28  The heart of the righteous ^yponders how to answer,

but ^zthe mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

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

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

24  ^uGracious words are like ^va honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and ^whealth to the body.

20  ^mA man of crooked heart does not discover good,

and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

23  ^tThe heart of the wise makes his speech judicious

and adds persuasiveness to his lips.