Maṯṯa 16 - NMNT93 & GNTD

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.

Ŋen Yesu gəned̶o ŋen ŋəled̶a ildi leɽəd̶əma ŋaməla

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

1 Na Alfarisiyin na Asaḏḏugiyin leṯo Yesu nano ṯa alminḏeici, ldəmeɽəd̶e ṯa, aŋələŋaici ŋaməla ŋelo. 2 Gënəŋu nəŋəluɽəbiṯi eŋen nəŋaṯa, “Ndə ltuŋga labwoṯwa lore ltəɽe iliga ëd̶əñina yibënṯia, nəñaṯa, ‘Đəbera d̶id̶i ad̶ətwod̶e d̶əŋəra’. 3 Na ulaldiṯano ltuŋga lore ləmunwa ñagabaṯa, ‘Rəmwa rad̶ənia’. Đeṯəm ñagaləŋeṯo ŋen ŋəltuŋga na ŋəd̶əber orn ñagaijəba ŋen ŋəŋaməla ŋəliga ildi. 4 Led̶a ləliga ildi leicia lero d̶wonaṯa i-Rəmwa lapwaiña ŋaməla, orn laber lid̶i alneini ŋaməla illi ŋaməla ŋə-Yunan.” Nṯia gënəŋu nəŋəloməñe nəŋələŋgiṯi.

Ŋen ŋud̶əɽi g-Alfarisiyin na g-Asaḏḏugiyin

(Margus 8:14-21)

5 Ndə ṯaləmis ilëɽəŋu yuɽəd̶u ed̶əbarlda d̶oɽra niyaijəbeini eŋen ṯa aiyape aicəba. 6 Yesu nəŋəleiṯi ṯa, “Rəmojəd̶r igud̶əɽi g-Alfarisiyin na g-Asaḏḏugiyin.” 7 Yënəŋulu ṯaiɽwataid̶o niyaṯa, “Gënəŋu galwaɽo ṯia ŋen ŋanṯa ləgerr ləgapar aicəba.” 8 Yesu nəŋələŋeṯe ṯia nəŋəleiṯi ṯa, “Ŋen ŋanṯau ñagaɽwataid̶ia ṯa ñagero aicəba, ya led̶a ñəŋgi ñagerṯo d̶wonaṯa d̶ətëfr? 9 Ñagaijəba ŋen məldin? Ñagaijəbeinu eŋen ŋəragif d̶enəŋ irri rəbeico led̶a aləf d̶enəŋ, na none naɽo mənau ini ñagwonḏəjaicəlo? 10 Na ñagaijəbeinu eŋen ŋəragif d̶enəŋ ndrəməñe rəɽijan irri rəbeico led̶a aləf marldwan, na none naɽo mənau ini ñagwonḏəjaicəlo? 11 Ŋen ŋanṯau ñagaijəba məldin egero igəndəlwaɽəṯia ṯa ñarəmojəd̶e eŋen ŋaicəba? Rəmojəd̶r igud̶əɽi g-Alfarisiyin na g-Asaḏḏugiyin.” 12 Oro yënəŋulu niyeləŋeṯe ṯa gënəŋu gero gəlwaɽəṯia ṯa aiyərəmojəd̶e igud̶əɽi gaicəba, orn ŋen iŋi Alfarisiyin na Asaḏḏugiyin yibërrəŋaid̶ia.

Ŋen Buṯrus gəlwaɽo ṯa Yesu gaɽo Almasiya

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

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!

13 Ndə Yesu gərəmaṯo alo ibërnia Gaisariya Filibus, gënəŋu nəŋeɽəd̶e ṯaləmis ilëɽəŋu ṯa, “Led̶a labaṯa ṯa Id̶ia gə-Led̶a gaɽo əsëgi?” 14 Na yënəŋulu nimuɽəbiṯi eŋen niyaṯa, “Led̶a ləmaṯan labaṯa ṯa fəŋa Yuanna igi gənanaid̶ia mamuḏiya, na ləmaṯan labaṯa ṯa, fəŋa Iliya, na ləmaṯan labaṯa ṯa fəŋa Irəmiya walla nabi yenəŋ.” 15 Gënəŋu nəŋəleɽəd̶e ṯa, “Orn ñaganəñaŋ ñagabaṯa igënəñi əsëgi?” 16 Siman Buṯrus nəŋəmuɽəbiṯi eŋen nəŋaṯa, “Fəŋa Almasiya, Id̶ia gə-Rəmwa irri rəməṯo.” 17 Na Yesu nəŋəmuɽəbiṯi eŋen nəŋaṯa, “Agəbuŋənṯu Siman id̶ia gi-Yuna ŋen ŋanṯa led̶a ildi ləɽo aŋəno lero ləŋërrəŋaicia ŋen iŋi, orn Bapa gəlëɽəñi igi gəfo elo gërrəŋaiciaŋa ŋen, 18 na igaŋəlwaɽəṯia com, agəbërnia Buṯrus na igid̶i ywad̶e kanisa d̶əlëɽəñi ldwandr ildi na ŋabəɽa ŋəŋəɽaiñ ŋaber ŋid̶i aŋəd̶ame. 19 Igid̶i eŋanaice ñəmofəṯa ñəŋələŋe ŋelo na ŋen iŋi agakaso alo ŋid̶i aŋakasəni elo com, na ŋen iŋi agəbaṯa agaŋgiṯu alo aŋgini elo com.” 20 Nṯia nəŋəlwaɽəṯi ṯaləmis ilëɽəŋu d̶wonḏəṯad̶a ṯa aiyerṯe yilwaɽəṯia ed̶a gənəŋ ṯa, gënəŋu gaɽo Almasiya.

Ŋen Yesu gəlwaɽo ṯa gid̶i aŋaiye orn aŋətwod̶e təŋ

(Margus 8:31–9:1Luka 9:22-27)

21 Iliga ildei nëiñua Yesu ṯaŋəɽwatiṯu ṯaləmis ilëɽəŋu ṯa ŋen d̶eṯəm gënəŋu gabəṯa alo yi-Ursalim na ṯa led̶a loɽra na nələŋ nəkana na led̶a ildi ləbërrəŋaid̶ia ŋen ŋ-Alganun lid̶i almananaice ŋen ŋwaiña ŋubwa na gënəŋu aŋəɽiñəni na aŋətud̶ini ndə ñoman ñəɽo ñiɽijin. 22 Na Buṯrus nəŋəmabəled̶eṯe aləsoŋ nəŋamagariñaṯe nəŋaṯa, “Ya Eləŋ gerṯe fəṯia. ŋen iŋi ŋaber ŋid̶i aŋeṯa nano.” 23 Orn Yesu nəŋəred̶ialo nəŋeiṯi Buṯrus ṯa, “Ŋgaṯəñe nano ya Seṯan. Agaɽo d̶ar id̶i d̶iñëkəɽəŋaicia ŋen ŋanṯa agaber agəlëldəŋəd̶einia eŋen Rəmwa rwonaṯa orn eŋen led̶a lwonaṯa.”

Ŋen led̶a ləlwaɽənṯu ṯa alned̶e ntam enen

24 Orn Yesu nəŋəlwaɽəṯi ṯaləmis nəŋaṯa, “Ndə ed̶a gənəŋ gwonaṯa gaiñəteṯa ŋgiṯəma aŋəned̶e etam gəlëɽəŋu, na aŋarrəpe d̶uɽi d̶əlëɽəŋu aŋaiñəteṯe. 25 Ŋen ŋanṯa ed̶a igi gwonaṯa gərəmoṯwa d̶əməṯia d̶əlëɽəŋu, gënəŋu gid̶i aŋəṯwe, na ed̶a igi gəbaiya ŋen ŋanṯa ñi, gënəŋu gid̶i aŋəməṯe d̶eṯəm. 26 Ŋen ŋanṯa d̶aɽəjaica d̶wuŋga ndə ed̶a gəneinia laŋge pred̶ lalo orn gaṯwia d̶əməṯia d̶əlëɽəŋu? Walla ed̶a gid̶i aŋənaid̶e wande gəɽo ilia ṯa aŋəməṯe? 27 Ŋen ŋanṯa Id̶ia gə-Led̶a gid̶i aŋela eŋaɽrwa ŋ-Eṯen malaiyəkaya ilëɽəŋu na gid̶i aŋəpəɽe led̶a ŋen ŋarno ŋəmëɽria eŋen lid̶u. 28 Đeṯəm igandəlwaɽəṯia ṯa, led̶a ləmaṯan eled̶a ildi ləṯurwa ëli laber lid̶i alaiye ŋen ləmulu ləseicia Id̶ia gə-Led̶a geṯo eŋələŋe ŋəlëɽəŋu garno Eləŋ.”

The Demand for a Miracle

(Mark 8.11-13Luke 12.54-56)

1 Some Pharisees and Sadducees who came to Jesus wanted to trap him, so they asked him to perform a miracle for them, to show that God approved of him. 2 But Jesus answered, “When the sun is setting, you say, ‘We are going to have fine weather, because the sky is red.’ 3 And early in the morning you say, ‘It is going to rain, because the sky is red and dark.’ You can predict the weather by looking at the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs concerning these times! 4 How evil and godless are the people of this day! You ask me for a miracle? No! The only miracle you will be given is the miracle of Jonah.”

So he left them and went away.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

(Mark 8.14-21)

5 When the disciples crossed over to the other side of the lake, they forgot to take any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Take care; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

7 They started discussing among themselves, “He says this because we didn't bring any bread.”

8 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he asked them, “Why are you discussing among yourselves about not having any bread? What little faith you have! 9 Don't you understand yet? Don't you remember when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand men? How many baskets did you fill? 10 And what about the seven loaves for the four thousand men? How many baskets did you fill? 11 How is it that you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? Guard yourselves from the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!”

12 Then the disciples understood that he was not warning them to guard themselves from the yeast used in bread but from the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter's Declaration about Jesus

(Mark 8.27-30Luke 9.18-21)

13 Jesus went to the territory near the town of Caesarea Philippi, where he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 “Some say John the Baptist,” they answered. “Others say Elijah, while others say Jeremiah or some other prophet.”

15 “What about you?” he asked them. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 “Good for you, Simon son of John!” answered Jesus. “For this truth did not come to you from any human being, but it was given to you directly by my Father in heaven. 18 And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

20 Then Jesus ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Jesus Speaks about His Suffering and Death

(Mark 8.31—9.1Luke 9.22-27)

21 From that time on Jesus began to say plainly to his disciples, “I must go to Jerusalem and suffer much from the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law. I will be put to death, but three days later I will be raised to life.”

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “God forbid it, Lord!” he said. “That must never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned around and said to Peter, “Get away from me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my way, because these thoughts of yours don't come from God, but from human nature.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me. 25 For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it. 26 Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life. 27 For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his deeds. 28 I assure you that there are some here who will not die until they have seen the Son of Man come as King.”