⁴ A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

⁴ A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but deceit in it crushes the spirit.

⁴ A gentle[1] tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

⁴ Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.