1-26-15 A Friend’s Reproof

You are my friend, and friend you’ll always be

If I say something wrong and you speak up,

For such rebuke from you is wine to me:

First tart then sweet to drink your chiding cup.

I may not like your criticism now

But you speak from a heart of love and care.

Much more from you than others I’d allow;

Their motives may not be sincere and fair.

An enemy may flatter with his tongue

But stab you in the back first chance he gets.

A kiss from Judas, then the armed crowd sprung;

He was no friend of Jesus when they met.

Your admonition, friend, is better than

The stench from some perfume some foe would fan.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Faithful are the wounds of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Proverbs 27:6 KJV