Yesterday we looked at a seemingly random list of wise sayings from Solomon and today that list continues. Yesterday's "theme" centered on having a reliable work ethic and being honest in our dealings with others. Today's verses seems to focus on speech: how we speak to one another, choosing our words wisely, and letting love guide what we say.

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, but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray. Lying lips conceal hatred, and 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.   (Prov. 10:11-21)

What sentence jumps out at you most? For me, at least this morning, it's the phrase: "When words are many, transgression (sin, doing wrong) is not lacking...." When we do or say something wrong, don't we often try and rationalize what we did or said or speak loudly on some other topic to draw attention away from our wrong? Solomon is saying that only compounds our wrong doing. Sometimes, and this is hard, we need to just sit quietly, reflect on our shortcomings, and accept the grace that God offers not just to us but to everyone else. 

Meditation: Solomon reminds us that when we do speak, our speech should "feed many." How can you speak this week to "feed" at least one other person (even if that person isn't particularly "deserving" or is someone with whom you disagree)?