because some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak ¹  and his speech is of no account.” ² 

The one who is wise in heart ¹  is called ²  discerning, and kind speech ³  increases persuasiveness. ⁴ 

not to many peoples of unintelligible speech and difficult language, whose words you cannot understand ¹  – surely if ²  I had sent you to them, they would listen to you!

Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, ¹  and purity.

and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss, ¹  because he has nothing evil to say about us.

You will fall; while lying on the ground ¹  you will speak; from the dust where you lie, your words will be heard. ²  Your voice will sound like a spirit speaking from the underworld; ³  from the dust you will chirp as if muttering an incantation. ⁴ 

Then Moses said to the Lord, ¹  “O ²  my Lord, ³  I am not an eloquent man, ⁴  neither in the past ⁵  nor since you have spoken to your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” ⁶ 

“If this is not so, who can prove me a liar and reduce my words to nothing?” ¹ 

After I had spoken, they did not respond; my words fell on them drop by drop. ¹ 

For the lips ¹  of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her seductive words ²  are smoother than olive oil,

A wise person’s heart ¹  makes his speech wise ²  and it adds persuasiveness ³  to his words. ⁴ 

Jesus told them this parable, ¹  but they ²  did not understand ³  what he was saying to them.

A wicked scoundrel ¹  digs up ²  evil, and his slander ³  is like a scorching fire. ⁴ 

Through patience ¹  a ruler can be persuaded, ²  and a soft tongue ³  can break a bone. ⁴ 

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we behave with great boldness, ¹ 

His words are as smooth as butter, ¹  but he harbors animosity in his heart. ²  His words seem softer than oil, but they are really like sharp swords. ³ 

The fear of the Lord is to hate ¹  evil; I hate arrogant pride ²  and the evil way and perverse utterances. ³ 

They brought to him a deaf man who had difficulty speaking, and they asked him to place his hands on him.

“I have told you these things in obscure figures of speech; ¹  a time ²  is coming when I will no longer speak to you in obscure figures, but will tell you ³  plainly ⁴  about the Father.

Confuse them, ¹  O Lord! Frustrate their plans! ²  For I see violence and conflict in the city.