Kind, wise lives

*When welcoming guests, don’t fuss and stress
they’d rather less poshness than tense distress;
quietness, peace, and a listening ear –
friendship, a place where they troubles can share.

**Words spoken with haste are such a sad waste:
take time while you think, pray to know what to say;
don’t needlessly wound, try to help and be wise
– rebukes can be healing, such pain don’t despise.

***Lying with skill may reward, bringing gain,
sweetness from duping, defrauding again,
but pain of discovery is bitter, brings shame
and God is aware of every false claim.

cf.
*Proverbs 17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
**Proverbs 12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
***Proverbs 20:17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.