The compendium of proverbs in chapters 10-31 does not lend itself to a consecutive verse-by-verse study since there is no apparent general ordering of them. But it is immensely suitable for topical studies. For example, the book has much to say about our verbal interactions with others, scattered in passages throughout the book. Studying these as a group is helpful. This subject is particularly important considering what the NT says about controlling our tongues and the difficulty of doing so (James 3:1-12).

Spending a great amount of time dissecting the verses to understand the nuances of scholarly insights is not as helpful as receiving these teachings and meditating, embracing and practicing them daily. You might memorize the ones that particularly resonate with you or write them on a card and review them frequently.

We can summarize this topic by saying that a person is wise to control his or her tongue!

Prov. 4:24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put devious lips far from you.

Prov. 10:19-20 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is [as] choice silver…

Prov. 10:31-32 The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, but the perverted tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverted.

Prov. 12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Prov. 13:3 The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Prov. 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for [his] back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

Prov. 15:2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.

Prov. 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.

Prov. 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not so.

Prov. 15:23 A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!

Prov. 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

Prov. 16:21 The wise in heart will be called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

Prov. 16:23-24 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Prov. 17:7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool; much less are lying lips to a prince.

Prov. 17:27-28 He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is [counted] prudent.

Prov. 18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind.

Prov. 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.

Prov. 22:11 He who loves purity of heart [and] whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.

Prov. 25:11 [Like] apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.

Prov. 25:20 [Like] one who takes off a garment on a cold day, [or like] vinegar on soda, is he who sings songs to a troubled heart.

Prov. 27:14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him.

Prov. 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Lord, controlling my tongue is more difficult than I can handle alone. Please give me the strength to resist unwise comments but to let wisdom control everything I say.