Several years ago I had a passage of Scripture imprinted on the Bible I used for everything.  I now use it when I preach.  Yesterday morning as I taped one of my “cheat sheets” (I preach with no pulpit) on the cover of that Bible my eyes were drawn to that reference.  I looked it up again.  It is from Deut.32:2-4:

“May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb.  For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God!  The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice.  A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just an upright is he.” (ESV)

“Let my teaching fall like rain and my word settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass and showers on tender plants.  For I will proclaim the LORD’s name. Declare the greatness of our God!  The Rock-His work is perfect; all His ways are entirely just. A faithful God, without prejudice, He is righteous and true.” (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.  I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!  He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” (NIV)

Except for a few words changes they all say the same (as do the others I could have included).  Point: when I preach/speak…when you preach/speak…do your words fall like rain and descend softly like dew?  Sure gives (re)new(ed) meaning to being careful what we say and how we say it! You don’t beat sheep.  You feed sheep.

What do you think?