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> The Seat of Scoffers
>> Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;

Occasion: Joining in cruel jokes

Lord, stop me before I join in cruel jokes ---
the quick line meant to get a laugh,
the pile-on when one person is not in there,
the grin that expects me to add one more cut.

You know how easily I can go along.
I want to belong.
I do not want to be the awkward one
who lets the laughter fail.

Teach me to feel the edge of my own words
before they leave my mouth.
And when I have already spoken,
keep me from pretending it was harmless
just because everyone laughed.

A joke can seem small.
But it hardens the room.
It trains my tongue to enjoy harm.

Give me courage for that uncomfortable moment,
when kindness costs me the approval of others.
Bring me near people who do not need a victim to be funny.

Lord, let my mouth close before the cut.
Teach me to use words
that don't make someone else smaller.

Amen.