Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Things of rare worth and beauty are words "fitly spoken," words that fit the case and match the opportunity. The human voice can do what nothing else can. Of some men's words we are sure that they are "apples of gold." Such are the words of the prophets who come with messages of hope and warning. Among words of truth and beauty are — 1. Words of comfort. We have no distance to go to find a human life that needs a consoling word. On the next foot of land to yours stands a man who craves for comfort. There are times in life when the word of instruction would be an injury and the elaborated argument a great hurt, as neither would minister to the mind diseased; but simple, earnest, heartfelt words, born of sympathy, are veritable "apples of gold." 2. Words of counsel. These are not always welcome. Our independent spirit will not permit us to invite or accept them. Yet many a man traces the turning-point of his career to the time when he acted on some word of good counsel. The word of experience is often the word wanted. 3. Words of encouragement. The world will never know what it owes to those people who have encouraged others. To encourage a man is to help him to turn some of the possibilities within him into actual achievements. Let us give God thanks for all those winsome servants of His who walk their appointed ways across His world, speaking as they go the encouraging word. (Albert J. Shorthouse.) Parallel Verses KJV: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.WEB: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. |
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