16 Speech is the beginning of every deed,and planning comes beforeevery action.
17 The key to change is the heart;
18 it poses four possibilities:good and evil, life and death,and their continual masteris the tongue.
19 Some people instruct many,but they are useless to themselves.
20 Some skilled speakers are hated;they will be deprived of any luxuries.
21 The Lord hasn’t granted themany refinement,because they are deprivedof any wisdom.
22 Some people are wise to theirown benefit,and the fruits of their understandingare evident to all.