9. He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who takes a crooked way shall be found out and punished.
10. He who winks with the eye [craftily and with malice] causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong but he who boldly reproves makes peace.
11. The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12. Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.
13. On the lips of him who has discernment skillful and godly Wisdom is found, but discipline and the rod are for the back of him who is without sense and understanding.
14. Wise men store up knowledge [in mind and heart], but the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
15. The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. [Ps. 52:7; I Tim. 6:17.]
16. The earnings of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) lead to life, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin. [Rom. 6:21; I Tim. 6:10.]
17. He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.
18. He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool. [Prov. 26:24-26.]
19. In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.
20. The tongues of those who are upright and in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked and out of harmony with God are of little value.
21. The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart.