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

⁴ A healed tongue 'is' a tree of life, And perverseness in it—a breach in 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.