Sometimes the kindest thing to do is to just say No

I wrote an email last night. Had to tell someone No. I needed to be clear but kind (two introductory sentences). Really, really clear (two explanatory sentences). But also instructional (three inspirational/where-to-go-next sentences). But make no mistake about it, I really meant No (another two paragraphs).

I looked it over and it seemed a bit heavy. So I read the email to my husband.

I tried to ignore his horrified look as he came to my side. He started dictating as I wrote. But his phrasing was a more complicated (read: proper) French than I use. (Did I mention I was writing in French?) They would know I didn't write it.

He wanted me to drop a phrase I used several times ("in fact" - how did I miss that?) and tone down a few other repetitions - to change this and rewrite that. After a few minutes in frustration, I thanked him but said I made a BIG mistake inviting his help, and I sent him back to his side of the sofa.

Then he said, "Sometimes the kindest thing to do is to just say No."

Ahhh!

I thought about what Jesus said, "Just say a simple, 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won't'" (Matthew 5). I looked at the email again. On second thought, my husband's first sentence was appropriate, professional and quite kind, so I kept it. Then I highlighted and deleted the entire rest of the email. I wrote a sentence that said No in a direct and simple way.

All the heat and concern and fear and overcompensation (read:overkill) drained out of the message. What was left was clear, kind, instructional and inspired.

After I sent the email, I thanked my husband for patiently putting up with me as I worked through yet another life lesson.

Sometimes the kindest thing really is to just say No.

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New International Version
All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

New Living Translation
Just say a simple, 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won't.' Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

English Standard Version
Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

New American Standard Bible
"But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes ' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil.

King James Bible
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But let your word 'yes be 'yes,' and your 'no be 'no.' Anything more than this is from the evil one.

International Standard Version
Instead, let your message be 'Yes' for 'Yes' and 'No' for 'No.' Anything more than that comes from the evil one."

NET Bible
Let your word be 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no.' More than this is from the evil one.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But your statement shall be, “Yes, yes” and, “No, no”; anything more than these is from The Evil One.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Simply say yes or no. Anything more than that comes from the evil one.

Jubilee Bible 2000
But let your communication be, Yes, yes; No, no; for whatsoever is more than this comes of evil.

King James 2000 Bible
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these comes from evil.

American King James Version
But let your communication be, Yes, yes; No, no: for whatever is more than these comes of evil.

American Standard Version
But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one .

Douay-Rheims Bible
But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.

Darby Bible Translation
But let your word be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; but what is more than these is from evil.

English Revised Version
But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one.

Webster's Bible Translation
But let your communication be, Yea, yea, Nay, nay: for whatever is more than these cometh of evil.

Weymouth New Testament
But let your language be, 'Yes, yes,' or 'No, no.' Anything in excess of this comes from the Evil one.

World English Bible
But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

Young's Literal Translation
but let your word be, Yes, Yes, No, No, and that which is more than these is of the evil.

Biblehub.com is a great site for comparative Bible references. If you aren't familiar with it, check it out!

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