Speech is so tricky - like simplicity and humility - so illusive - and yet what a gift Salty Speech - seasoned abundantly with Grace is to give ourselves, those we love and those we share our days with.

Psalm 34:13  "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit."

Psalm 141:3  "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!"

Proverbs 10:11, 19  "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.  When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise."

Proverbs 12:6, 18  "The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright will deliver them. There is one whose rash words are like thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Proverbs 13:3  "The one who guards his mouth preserves life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."

Proverbs 15:1-2, 4, 23, 28  "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.  A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word! The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things."

Proverbs 17:27-28 "He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a food, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent."

Proverbs 18:20-21  "From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Proverbs 21:23  "He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from troubles."

Proverbs 25:11, 15  "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word rightly spoken. With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bone."

Proverbs 31:26  "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

Matthew 15:11  "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person."

Mark 15:5  "But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed."

Ephesians 4:15, 29, 32  "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for the edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Philippians 2:14  "Do all things without grumbling or questioning."

Colossians 4:6  "Let your speech always be gracious, season with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

2 Timothy 2:16  "But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness."

1 Peter 3:15  "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."

James 1:19, 26  "This you know my beloved brethren, but everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.  If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless."