19  ^eWhen words are many, transgression is not lacking,

^fbut whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

20  The tongue of the righteous is ^gchoice silver;

the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

9  With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,

but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

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

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

12  Whoever ^qbelittles his neighbor lacks sense,

but a man of understanding remains silent.

13  An evil man is ensnared ^uby the transgression of his lips,¹

^vbut the righteous escapes from trouble.

4  ^hA gentle¹ tongue is ⁱa tree of life,

but ^jperverseness in it breaks the spirit.

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

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

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

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

21  The wise of heart is called discerning,

and sweetness of speech ^rincreases persuasiveness.

28  ^aA dishonest man spreads strife,

and ^ba whisperer ^cseparates close friends.

7  ^eA fool’s mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8  ^fThe words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into ^gthe inner parts of the body.

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

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

1  ^aBetter is a poor person who ^bwalks in his integrity

than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

20  Whoever ^jsings songs to a heavy heart

is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,

and like vinegar on soda.

5  ⁱA man who flatters his neighbor

spreads ^ja net for his feet.