A Time to be Gentle, A Time to be Firm

9/7/2025

Rev. Paul Bang

 

Proverbs 15:1; 18:8; 26:28; 27:5-6; 28:23

A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.

A lying tongue hates its victims,
    and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
 profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
    than he who flatters with his tongue.