My brother has fallen, I said to a friend.
He's broken and heartsick from the error of sin.
His wife and his children seem lonely and cold,
Since each accusation comes firmly and bold.

Now my heart is broken from seeing his life
Being shattered to pieces by hatred and strife.
I want to be bold and rebuke him for sin,
But how can I do it and still not offend?

Others have done it and left him in tears,
Leaving him feelings to last him for years.
What shall I do? I want to do right.
I am perplexed both morning and night.

My friend reassured me of his earnest care.
And that if I needed him he would be there,
But as he was leaving he then turned around,
Studied a bit and sat on the ground.

He glanced and then looked at me straight in the eyes
As if he were going to give a surprise.
Your friend, he said, is not out on a limb.
You and I can be a help to him.

You see, God has made us as wise as can be:
He made us in perfectly good symmetry.
I looked at him strangely, I'm sure that I did,
Wondering what in the world he had said.

He stared again and said, Don't you see?
It's as plain as the leaves on my apple tree.
God gave us two of several parts
To remind us how we use our hearts.

He gave us two eyes to see two things at once;
His divine judgment and His providence.
We have two ears for two wonderful things:
Hearing the gossip while not listening.

He gave us two hands to work in two ways:
To work in the mill and to carry our babes.
So the heart of the matter is simple to know.
Your heart need not break for your poor brother's woe.

Take to yourself this wonderful task:
To comfort your friend with love that will last.
Rebuke him in love, and don't compromise,
But forgive, forgive, and you will be wise.

The Father forgave us of sin, don't you know,
And with this our thankful hearts overflow.
But the Father forgives us as we forgive those
Who trespass against us, as everyone knows.

Seventy times over we are to forgive;
But be sure the Father forgives us, and live
In harmony with the Father above:
That is, to walk in brotherly love.

To say we forgive is just not enough.
Sometimes love has to be tough.
We tell our brother that sin we can't take,
But faithful forgiveness is done for his sake.

So with a two-sided heart we do what is right,
We rebuke him in love and consider he might
Have to spend some time to restitute sin,
And faithful forgiveness wins him again.