Honest words are painful, but what does your arguing prove?
How forcible are right words! But what doth your arguing reprove?
How forcible are words of straightforward speech! But what does your arguing argue and prove or your reproof reprove?
How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove?
How painful are truthful words, but what do your condemnations accomplish?
Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?
Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?
If only you would keep completely silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
“So how will your futility comfort me, for your answers remain nothing but falsehood?”
Now if it is not so, who can prove me a liar, and reduce my speech to nothing?”
Look, you have all seen this yourselves. Why then this meaningless talk?
He was also angry with his three friends because they had not found an answer, and yet had condemned Job.
Your words have supported those who stumbled, and strengthened buckling knees.
“Teach me, and I will be silent; explain to me how I have been wrong.
Do you intend to correct my words, and treat the words of a despairing man as wind?
Reckless speech is like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
A person has joy in an appropriate answer— how good is a timely word.
Death and life are in the control of the tongue. Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit.
Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word aptly spoken.