8 Don’t be preoccupiedwith ill-gotten gains;it will be of no benefitwhen you are in trouble.
9 Don’t be blown about by every wind,and don’t take every shortcut.This is how the devious sinner acts.
10 Be firmly groundedin your understanding,and let your speech be consistent.
11 Listen carefully,and utter a patient reply.
12 If you have understanding,answer your neighbor,but if you don’t,clap your hand over your mouth.
13 Speaking brings glory or dishonor.Indeed, the tonguecan be a person’s downfall.
14 Don’t get a reputationfor being a slanderer,and don’t set traps for peoplewith your speech,because shame comes to the thief,and terrible blamecomes upon the deceitful.