‘The simplest of words have eternal importance’ a hymn inspired by Matthew 18:15-20
The simplest of words have eternal importance,
a 'yes' or a 'no' last for more than a day.
Be careful in talking and choose your words wisely,
then think before speaking of what you will say.
How often we utter our words without wisdom.
Perhaps we should ask 'Is it true?' 'Is it kind?'
And what motivates us, should we be repeating
the words that we heard, or the thoughts that we find?
In love and compassion, then, let us consider
the ways we affirm and the ways we deride
the sisters and brothers, the neighbours God brought us,
and then in God's harmony stand side by side.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2015 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 12 11 12 11
Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO
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