Readings for Ages 8–12

Kindness Has Something to Say

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Proverbs 31:26 KJV

Being kind does not always mean saying very little. Sometimes kindness needs to speak: to welcome a new child, defend someone from a false claim, or offer helpful instruction.

Proverbs 31:26 joins wisdom with kindness. Wise words pay attention to what is true and useful. Kind words seek the good of the person who hears them. Neither quality needs insults in order to be effective.

Choose a helpful purpose before you speak. If your main aim is to show that you are cleverer, pause. You can explain a mistake without embarrassing someone. You can offer encouragement without pretending everything is perfect. Let truth and care travel together in the same sentence.

Keep the passage in context

This verse describes the wise and kind speech of the virtuous woman. Her words belong to a larger picture of faithful character and care. The verse is not permission to judge someone's worth by unrealistic perfection.

Read further: Proverbs 31 in the King James Bible.