²⁵ How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

⁴ Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²¹ The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

²² Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

²³ The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

²⁴ Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

¹⁸ There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

³ Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

²⁵ And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?

³⁴ How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?

³ Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?

⁴ I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

⁵ But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

⁵ O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.

¹⁰ The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

¹¹ The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.