Wordsmithing
Don’t spread harmful rumors or help a criminal by giving false evidence. ~ Exodus 23:1 (CEV)
The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you. ~ Matthew 12:37 (CEB)
KEY IDEA:
Words have consequences.
PRAYER:
God, thank you for sending your Living Word into the world and my life. I confess that I don't think much about the words I use and how they might affect people. I'm more interested in getting them out there to show the world what I'm thinking and how my thoughts are so much better than all other thoughts. Yet, at other times I become careless with my words because my brain isn't engaged in what I'm saying. Please, Living Word, guide my word choices so that they reflect your love and your agenda for the people with whom I interact. I'm going to become a better wordsmith. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
