Matayo 16 - MB & APD1927

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

The Bible is rich with wisdom regarding the power of our words. Throughout Scripture, we are reminded that the tongue—though small—holds the capacity to uplift, destroy, heal, or harm. The words we speak can shape destinies, mend relationships, or cause deep wounds. Let’s explore seven Bible verses that illuminate the profound power of the tongue.

1. Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

The words we choose to speak can bring encouragement, love, and healing, or they can cause hurt, division, and destruction. The “fruits” we reap from our words reflect their power—whether for good or ill.

2. James 3:5-6 – “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.”

Although it is a small part of the body, the tongue can cause significant harm, much like a small spark can ignite an entire forest fire. James warns believers of the dangers of careless speech, reminding us that words can spread like wildfire, causing damage that can be difficult to undo.

3. Proverbs 12:18 – “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Words spoken in haste or anger can cut deeply, inflicting pain and damage similar to physical wounds. Conversely, wise and thoughtful words can bring comfort, peace, and restoration, highlighting the importance of controlling our speech and choosing our words carefully.

4. Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

We are urged to avoid corrupting or harmful talk and instead speak in ways that edify and encourage others. Words have the power to build up or tear down, and we are encouraged to use our speech to impart grace and support to those around us.

5. Proverbs 15:4 – “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”

A gentle tongue, like a tree of life, offers nourishment, strength, and growth. In contrast, perverse or harsh speech can crush a person’s spirit, leading to discouragement and despair. The verse encourages us to speak with kindness and gentleness, fostering life and growth in others.

6. Matthew 12:36-37 – “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Jesus’ words in Matthew are a sobering reminder of the accountability we have for our speech. Every word we speak—careless or otherwise—will be subject to judgment. Our words reflect our hearts, and they play a role in our justification or condemnation. This verse underscores the importance of being mindful of our speech, knowing that it has eternal consequences.

7. Proverbs 16:24 – “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

Words that are kind, loving, and considerate are likened to honeycomb—sweet and nourishing, bringing joy and health to both the speaker and the listener. The verse encourages us to speak in ways that bring sweetness and well-being to others, reflecting the love and grace of God through our words.

Conclusion

The Bible consistently teaches that the tongue, though small, wields immense power. It can bring life or death, healing or harm, joy or sorrow. As followers of Christ, we are called to use our words wisely, to speak life, and to reflect God’s love through our speech. By guarding our tongues and choosing our words carefully, we can positively influence those around us and honor God with our speech.

Lidri Le Talaro ro

(Marako 8:11-13Luka 12:54-56)

1 Rukä Parusii ro ndi Sadukei robe ikyiyite Yesu re leyi nda ojone, ago ànya ejiyi nda te talaro ro oyene ànyari, ka'daza anjioko nda ni Lu resi. 2 Oko Yesu zatadrite ekye: “Ondro kitu kate ugu oci oko nyà ata mìkye: ‘Vo kaoye a'done kadoro ämäri, tana vokuru orivoya okaro.’ 3 Ago kyenoŋboci si nyà ata mìkye: ‘'Bu kaoye u'dine, tana vokuru orivoya läwura ro ago uniro.’ Mìnina ndi a'do oli ro unine vo ondre si vokuru ya, oko mìnina ko taka'daro tu kwoi ro takacina unine! 4 Lidri tu ono ro orivoya koziro ago luako! Nyà ma eji talaro ta ya? Hwa! Talaro ro se ozone ämiri toto talaro ro Yona ro ayani.”

Ta'dota nda e'be ànya te ago oyite.

Loŋga Parusii ro ndi Sadukei be

(Marako 8:14-21)

5 Ondro taeri'bai kozayite fofo tasi oko, ànya ijeyi ta ambata uru rote. 6 Yesu atate ànyari ekye: “Mìmba ämidri, nyàgaga ami ni loŋga Parusii ndi Sadukei be ro ri.”

7 Ànya etoyi atate iyivoya ekye: “Nda ko'de be ta ono atane inye tana mèzi ambata ko'de.”

8 Yesu ni tase ànya kayibe ugu atana ana te, ndi nda eji ànya te ekye: “Tana e'di nyà ugu ata amivoya ta a'doro ambata ako ono rota niya? Ami orivoya taoma giṛiŋwa be! 9 Ami drigba tauni ako ya? Tase mawa duŋguṛu ambata nji robe mànoago kutu nji (5,000) ri ana mìyi tana ko ya? Koṛiga na se nyòtobe twitwi moda ya? 10 Ago ambata se duŋguṛu na njidrieri mànoago kutu su (4,000) ri 'do ni? Koṛiga na nyòtobe twitwi moda ya? 11 Tana e'di mì'de be ko unine ekye ma ko ta ambata ro atana ayani ämiri ni ya? Nyàgaga andivo amiro ni loŋga Parusii ro ndi Sadukei be ro ri!”

12 'Dooko taeri'bai niyite anjioko nda ka ko ànya emba andivo ànyaro gagane ni loŋga se abe osona ambata ya ri oko ni ta ŋgaembaro Parusii ndi Sadukei be ro risi ayani!

Taeṛo Petero ro ta Yesu rota

(Marako 8:27-30Luka 9:18-21)

13 Yesu oyite wari se lototi 'ba'desi Kaisaria Filipo ro ro ana ya, ni nasi nda eji taeri'bai te ekye: “Lidri kabe ata ekye, Ŋgwa Lidri ro ni a'di owo ya?”

14 Ànya zayitadrite ekye: “Rukäna ka ata ekye, mi orivoya Yoane Bapatisi'ba owo.” “Azakana ekye mi orivoya Eliya owo, ago azakana ekye mi orivoya Yeremaya owo kode alo aza nebii ro owo.”

Peter: Confession of Jesus as the Messiah

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah!

15 Nda eji ànya te ekye: “Oko ami ni? Nyà ata mìkye ma a'di owo ya?”

16 Simona Petero zatadrite ekye: “Mi ni Mesiya, Ŋgwa Lu lidriidriro ro owo.”

17 Yesu zatadrite ekye: “Äṛu ka'do miri, Simona ŋgwa Yona ro! Tana taŋgye ono ikyi kote miri ni a'do lidri ro resi, oko ozote miri ṛo dori ni Täpi maro vo'buyakuru ya resi. 18 Ago mata miri yauono Petero; mi orivoya kuni yi ago mabena känisa maro 'da kuni ono dri, odra unina ko opene ṛe alona. 19 Mozona ŋga käläsi upiro Miri 'Bädri'ba vo'buyakuru ro 'da miri; ŋgase nyabe embena 'bädri ya embena kpa vo'buyakuru ya, ago ŋgase nyabe onjina 'bädri ya onjina kpa vo'buyakuru ya.”

20 'Dooko Yesu ta taeri'bai ndaro te ko ta itine 'diaza alo ri ekye nda ni Mesiya owo.

Yesu Iti ta Rueza Ndaro rote ndi Odra be

(Marako 8:31–9:1Luka 9:22-27)

21 Ni tu gi ana si Yesu eto ta itite ṛo ŋbelero taeri'bai ndaro ri ekye: “Beṛo märi oyine Yerusalema ya ago rueza amba usune ni 'di'desii, kohanii 'desi, ndi miemba'bai Ota robe resi. Äfuna ma 'da, oko u'du nina si oko madrina 'da.”

22 Petero ru nda te pere ago eto nda luku te, nda atate ekye: “Lu ko'ba ta 'do ka'do ko Opi, ta 'do unina ko a'done inye miri alona.”

23 Yesu zamite ago atate Petero ri ekye: “Minaru pere ni mare si Satani! Nya edre liti maro dri ma lagane, tana tavousu miro kwoi ikyi koni Lu resi, oko ni lidri resi.”

24 'Dooko Yesu atate taeri'bai ndaro ri ekye: “Ondro ka'do 'diaza kolete o'dene mavo, beṛo ndäri ta andivo ndaro ro ijene, kuŋgyi taka ndaro, ago keso mavo. 25 Tana nda se kole adri modo ndaro ro opane ijena anya 'da; oko nda se kabe adri ndaro ijena ta maro ta usuna anya ndi. 26 Ondro ka'do 'diaza kuru 'bädri cini gica oko kije adri iro gwo inye 'do nda usuna ŋga aza gindi ya? Endaro nda unina ko ŋga aza usune! Nda unina ko ŋga aza ozone ogone adri ndaro usuza. 27 Tana Ŋgwa Lidri ro kaoye ikyine 'desi Täpi ndaro roya malaikai ndaro be, 'dooko nda ozona ŋga 'da 'dicini ri oso taoye 'dialo ro ronye. 28 Endaro mata ämiri ono, azakana orivoya noŋwa se uninayi ko odrane madale ànya ondrenayi Ŋgwa Lidri ro lutu ikyivoya 'Bädri'ba ro.”