his service, those who are elders and ministerial servants should certainly be no less sensitive as to their conduct. They are generally more experienced in the Christian way of life and are held more responsible by God, for they are examples. (Compare Luke 12:48; 1 Peter 5:2, 3.) Even if they make a grave mistake, their sincere repentance, manifested by their turning around from their wrong and their bringing it to the attention of the body of elders, is an example. This may serve to help others who slip into serious sin to take a like repentant course. The zeal for clearing themselves before God, the earnestness, the indignation toward their own wrongs, the effort at righting the wrong, will work for the salvation of all. Moreover, it will maintain peace in the congregation​—peace with God and with one another.​—2 Cor. 7:11.

21. What wholesome effect can repentance have on us?

²¹ How very vital genuine repentance is! Really, because of being imperfect, we daily fail in some way to reflect the image of Jehovah God perfectly. This is something we should rightly regret. But it should not cause us to torment ourselves over every minor fault or slip. Nevertheless, the realization that we often err in word and in deed should keep us humble and help us to be merciful when others sin against us. Then, when we pray to God for forgiveness of our trespasses, we can be confident that he will be pleased with our prayers. (Matt. 6:12, 14, 15) Thus, we will enjoy a clean conscience as we continue seeking to do his will. Yes, we will be truly happy, knowing that Jehovah has forgiven our sins and that he views us as his clean servants who have before them the prospect of everlasting life.​—Ps. 32:1, 2; 103:10-13.

What Did the Wise Man Mean?

The Sad Plight of the Fool

Contrasting the effect of the wise one’s words with those of a fool, Solomon wrote: “The words of the mouth of the wise one mean favor, but the lips of the stupid one swallow him up.” (Eccl. 10:12) From the mouth of wise persons come forth words that impart what is good and favorable to the listener. (Compare Ephesians 4:29.) Their sayings also are more likely to receive a favorable response. But the speech of the stupid one exposes him to reproach and thus ruins him or ‘swallows him up.’

The “stupid one” utters foolishness from start to finish, often arguing from a wrong premise and winding up with false conclusions. Solomon describes this as follows: “The start of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end afterward of his mouth is calamitous madness. And the foolish one speaks many words. Man does not know what will come to be; and that which will come to be after him, who can tell him?” (Eccl. 10:13, 14) The fool thinks that he can do this.

Such a person makes life hard for himself