for they are life to those who find them and healing to one’s entire body. ¹ 

Speaking recklessly ¹  is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words ²  of the wise bring ³  healing. ⁴ 

An unreliable ¹  messenger falls ²  into trouble, ³  but a faithful envoy ⁴  brings ⁵  healing.

A tranquil spirit ¹  revives the body, ²  but envy ³  is rottenness to the bones. ⁴ 

Speech ¹  that heals ²  is like ³  a life-giving tree, ⁴  but a perverse tongue ⁵  breaks the spirit.

The one who stiffens his neck ¹  after numerous rebukes ²  will suddenly be destroyed ³  without remedy. ⁴ 

After all this happened, the Lord afflicted him with an incurable intestinal disease. ¹ 

Therefore, his disaster will come suddenly; in an instant ¹  he will be broken, and there will be no remedy.

Then I said, “Lord, ¹  have you completely rejected the nation of Judah? Do you despise ²  the city of Zion? Why have you struck us with such force that we are beyond recovery? ³  We hope for peace, but nothing good has come of it. We hope for a time of relief from our troubles, but experience terror. ⁴ 

But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his warnings, ¹  and ridiculed his prophets. ²  Finally the Lord got very angry at his people and there was no one who could prevent his judgment. ³ 

If the anger ¹  of the ruler flares up ²  against you, do not resign ³  from your position, ⁴  for a calm ⁵  response ⁶  can undo ⁷  great offenses.

So these officials said to the king, “This man must be put to death. For he is demoralizing ¹  the soldiers who are left in the city as well as all the other people there by these things he is saying. ²  This ³  man is not seeking to help these people but is trying to harm them.” ⁴