A great place to start

Brethren, the tongue is an evil;
Impossible to tame.
We bless God and curse men,
It sure is a shame.

This little member, beloved,
Is set on fire by hell.
How can fresh and bitter water
Spring from the same well?

Or how can olives grow
On a fig tree?
My brethren, these things
Ought not so to be.

All of us stumble -
In so many different ways.
Do you want to see good,
And have length-of-days?

Brethren, let your tongue
Be ruled by kindness.
Speak thoughtfully always,
And with uprightness.

We shouldn't boast
About such-and-such a thing.
None of us know -
What tomorrow will bring.

Let your words be gentle and
Straight from the heart.
If you want to honor the Lord -
Your speech is a great place to start!

This poem was a finalist in the October 2021 poetry contest