Despised, impure, and shamed of men,
They brought her to the Lord
And sought his judgment on a sin
Their human laws abhorred.
"What sayest thou?" Their clamor rose
And swelled with priestly pride.
"Our laws demand she must be stoned!
What sayest thou?" they cried.
"He who is sinless," Jesus said,
"Let him first cast a stone."
And each man looked within his heart,
And each man left, alone.
Then Jesus spoke those tender words
The woman hungered for.
With healing, purifying love
He bade her sin no more.
O Love, speak to these hearts of ours.
So quick to judge, to stone!
For healing's touch is seen and felt
Through Christly love alone.
