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.