The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.
The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things,
The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.
A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth;