4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,

but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,

but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life:

But perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

4 Gentle words are a tree of life;

a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,

But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

4 As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life,

but dishonest words crush the spirit.

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life;

But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

4 Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life; but crookedness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, 

but a deceitful tongue breaks the spirit. 

4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life,

but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,

but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

4 Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life,

but perverseness in it causes a break in spirit.

4 A tongue that brings healing is like a tree of life.

But a tongue that tells lies produces a broken spirit.