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A lady presented herself to Philip Neri one day, accusing herself of being a slanderer. "Do you frequently fall into this fault?" inquired he. "Yes, my father, very often." "My dear child," said Philip, "your fault is great, but the mercy of God is still greater. For your penance do as follows: Go purchase a chicken, and walk a certain distance, plucking the feathers as you go along. Your walk finished, return to me." Accordingly she repaired to the market, did as she was bidden, and in a short time returned. "Ah," said Philip, "you have been very faithful to the first part of my orders. Retrace your steps, and gather up one by one all the feathers you have scattered." "But, father," exclaimed the poor woman, "I cast them carelessly on every side; the wind carried them in every direction. How can I recover them?" "Well, my child," replied he, "so is it with your words of slander; like the feathers, they have been scattered. Call them back if you can. Go and sin no more."

(W. Baxendale.)

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KJV: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

WEB: Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;