As a tree full of life and sap brings forth its fruit, so in Isaiah, lvii. 19, the cognate word is translated "the fruit of the lips." The froward tongue is like a tree that brings forth evil and not good fruit. It "shall be cut down." What is meant is, that the abuse of God's gift of speech will lead ultimately to its forfeiture. There shall, at last, be the silence of shame and confusion.--_Plumptre._ _MAIN HOMILETICS OF VERSE_ 32. ACCEPTABLE WORDS. +I. The righteous man knows what words are acceptable to God from a study of Divine laws.+ The courtier knows how to approach his king--in what words to address him--because he has made himself acquainted with the laws of the court. The righteous man is well acquainted with the laws of the kingdom of God, and, being so, he knows how to draw near to the Divine King--he sets his words in order before Him as the wood is laid in order upon the altar for the sacrifice. God has not left man in ignorance of what kind of words are acceptable to Him (Hosea xiv. 2; Mal. iii. 16; Matt. vi. 9; Ephes. v. 19, 20, etc). +II. He knows what words are acceptable to men from a study of their character.+ Man's character is a prophecy of the kind of words that will be acceptable. The righteous man makes it his business, and regards it as his duty to frame his speech--so far as it is consistent with righteousness--in such a manner that those to whom he speaks will be won to listen to his words. +III. He speaks what are acceptable words from the habit of his heart.+ It is natural for a good tree to bear good fruit, and it is the nature of a righteous man to speak words of humility and faith to his God and of kindness to his fellow-men. As the tree is, so is the fruit. As the man's heart is, so, with rare exceptions, are his words. (See on verse 20.) _OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS._