1 A ^asoft answer turns away wrath,
But ^ba harsh word stirs up anger. ‡

2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
^aBut the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. ‡

4 A¹ wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. ‡

5 ^aA fool despises his father’s instruction,
^bBut he who¹ receives correction is prudent. ‡