On The Lips Of One Who Has Understanding Wisdom Is Found
Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but the one who rebukes
boldly makes peace. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the
mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers
all offenses. On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found, but a
rod is for the back of one who lacks sense. The wise lay up knowledge, but the
babbling of a fool brings ruin near. The wealth of the rich is their fortress;
the poverty of the poor is their ruin. The wage of the
righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. Whoever heeds
instruction is on the path to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. Whoever
heeds instruction is on the path to life, but one who rejects a rebuke goes
astray. Lying lips conceal hatred, but whoever utters slander is a fool. When
words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in
speech. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the mind of the wicked is
of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of
sense.
Proverbs 10:11-21
The words we say may have long-term consequences. Our comments, our
compliments, and even our harsh criticisms may stick with the hearer for decades.
The words we speak today live on. Make sure your words are righteous, and not those of a fool.
The tongue is a small organ that creates
either discord or harmony.
Our Daily Bread – January 5, 2009