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舌头最难制伏

我的弟兄们,不要多人做师傅,因为晓得我们要受更重的判断。 原来我们在许多事上都有过失。若有人在话语上没有过失,他就是完全人,也能勒住自己的全身。 我们若把嚼环放在马嘴里,叫它顺服,就能调动他的全身。 看哪,船只虽然甚大,又被大风催逼,只用小小的舵就随着掌舵的意思转动。 这样,舌头在百体里也是最小的,却能说大话。看哪,最小的火能点着最大的树林! 舌头就是火,在我们百体中舌头是个罪恶的世界,能污秽全身,也能把生命的轮子点起来,并且是从地狱里点着的。 各类的走兽、飞禽、昆虫、水族本来都可以制伏,也已经被人制伏了; 唯独舌头,没有人能制伏,是不止息的恶物,满了害死人的毒气。 我们用舌头颂赞那为主、为父的,又用舌头咒诅那照着神形象被造的人。 10 颂赞和咒诅从一个口里出来,我的弟兄们,这是不应当的! 11 泉源从一个眼里能发出甜苦两样的水吗? 12 我的弟兄们,无花果树能生橄榄吗?葡萄树能结无花果吗?咸水里也不能发出甜水来。

论从上头来的智慧

13 你们中间谁是有智慧、有见识的呢?他就当在智慧的温柔上显出他的善行来。 14 你们心里若怀着苦毒的嫉妒和纷争,就不可自夸,也不可说谎话抵挡真道。 15 这样的智慧不是从上头来的,乃是属地的,属情欲的,属鬼魔的。 16 在何处有嫉妒、纷争,就在何处有扰乱和各样的坏事。 17 唯独从上头来的智慧,先是清洁,后是和平、温良、柔顺、满有怜悯、多结善果、没有偏见、没有假冒; 18 并且使人和平的,是用和平所栽种的义果。

Taming the Tongue

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will face stricter judgment.(A) For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is mature,[a] able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.(B) If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a such a small fire!(C) And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of life, and is itself set on fire by hell.[b](D) For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless[c] evil, full of deadly poison.(E) With it we bless the Lord[d] and Father, and with it we curse people, made in the likeness of God.(F) 10 From the same mouth comes a blessing and a curse. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.(G) 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant and lie about the truth. 15 This is not wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.(H) 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.(I) 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.(J) 18 And the fruit of righteousness[e] is sown in peace by those who make peace.(K)

Footnotes

  1. 3.2 Gk a mature man
  2. 3.6 Gk Gehenna
  3. 3.8 Other ancient authorities read uncontrollable
  4. 3.9 Other ancient authorities read God
  5. 3.18 Or justice

Taming the Tongue

Not many of you should become teachers,(A) my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged(B) more strictly.(C) We all stumble(D) in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say(E) is perfect,(F) able to keep their whole body in check.(G)

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.(H) Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.(I) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire,(J) a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,(K) sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.(L)

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.(M)

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.(N) 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?(O) Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it(P) by their good life, by deeds(Q) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition(R) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.(S) 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven(T) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.(U) 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition,(V) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(W) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(X) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(Y) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(Z) 18 Peacemakers(AA) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.(AB)