Wordsfrom the mouthof a wisemanare gracious,while the lipsof a foolconsumehim;
Davidsaidto him, "Your bloodis on your head,for your mouthhas testifiedagainst you, saying,'I have killedthe LORD'Sanointed.'"
"I could strengthenyou with my mouth,And the solaceof my lipscould lessen[your pain].
"As for the headof those who surroundme, May the mischiefof their lipscoverthem.
The mouthof the righteousutterswisdom,And his tonguespeaksjustice.
So they will make him stumble;Their own tongueis againstthem; Allwho seethem will shakethe head.
He who winksthe eyecausestrouble,And a babblingfoolwill be ruined.
The wiseof heartwill receivecommands,But a babblingfoolwill be ruined.
Thereis one who speaksrashlylike the thrustsof a sword,But the tongueof the wisebringshealing.
The tongueof the wisemakesknowledgeacceptable,But the mouthof foolsspoutsfolly.
A manhas joyin an aptanswer,And howdelightfulis a timelyword!
A false witnesswill not gounpunished,And he who tellslieswill not escape.
He who lovespurityof heart[And] whose speechis gracious,the kingis his friend.
[Like] a thorn[which] fallsinto the handof a drunkard,So is a proverbin the mouthof fools.
She opensher mouthin wisdom,And the teachingof kindnessis on her tongue.
The wordsof wisemenare like goads,and mastersof [these] collectionsare like well-drivennails;they are givenby oneShepherd.
The foolfoldshis handsand consumeshis own flesh.
Do not be hastyin wordor impulsivein thoughtto bringup a matterin the presenceof God.For Godis in heavenand you are on the earth;thereforelet your wordsbe few.
Do not letyour speechcause you to sinand do not sayin the presenceof the messenger[of God] that it was a mistake.Whyshould Godbe angryon accountof your voiceand destroythe workof your hands?
The wordsof the wiseheardin quietnessare [better] thanthe shoutingof a ruleramong fools.
"The goodmanbringsout of [his] goodtreasurewhat is good;and the evilmanbringsout of [his] eviltreasurewhat is evil.
"He saidto him, 'By your own wordsI will judgeyou, you worthlessslave.Did you knowthat I aman exactingman,takingup whatI did not lay downand reapingwhatI did not sow?
And allwere speaking wellof Him, and wonderingat the graciouswordswhich were fallingfrom His lips;and they were saying,"Is thisnot Joseph'sson?"
Let nounwholesomewordproceedfrom your mouth,but onlysuch[a word] as is goodfor edificationaccording to the need[of the moment], sothat it will givegraceto thosewho hear.
Let your speechalwaysbe with grace,[as though] seasonedwith salt,so that you will knowhowyou shouldrespondto eachperson.
