Língua

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. [Matt 12:37]

2 For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].

3 Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well. 4 And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. 5 In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark! 6 And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by *hell (Gehenna).

7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God. 10 Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts]. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both*fresh and bitter water?12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce *fresh.

15 By patience and a calm spirit a ruler may be persuaded,

And a soft and gentle tongue breaks the bone [of resistance]. [Gen 32:4; 1 Sam 25:24; Prov 15:1; 16:14]

18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,

But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Truthful lips will be established forever,

But a lying tongue is [credited] only for a moment.

19 When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,

But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.

28 Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;

When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious [scrupulously observant of the rituals of his faith], and does not control his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless (futile, barren).

The Vanity of Life.

1 I said, "I will guard my ways

That I may not sin with my tongue;

I will muzzle my mouth

While the wicked are in my presence."

12 Who is the man who desires life

And loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil

And your lips from speaking deceit.

30 The mouth of the righteous proclaims wisdom,

And his tongue speaks justice and truth.

31 The law of his God is in his heart;

Not one of his steps will slip.

28 And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness (justice),

And Your praise all the day long.

4 Even before there is a word on my tongue [still unspoken],

Behold, O Lord, You know it all. [Heb 4:13]

2 Rescue my soul, O Lord, from lying lips,

And from a deceitful tongue.

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,

The tongue that speaks great things [in boasting];

4 Who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail;

Our lips are our own; who is lord and master over us?"

9 *Confuse [my enemies], O Lord, divide their tongues [destroying their schemes],

For I have seen violence and strife in the city.

9 For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus *every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [Is 45:23] 11 and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.

The Excellence of Love

1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not *love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction].

36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.37 For by your words [reflecting your spiritual condition] you will be justified and acquitted of the guilt of sin; and by your words [rejecting Me] you will be condemned and sentenced."

5 Now the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the Lord said, "Behold, they are one [unified] people, and they all have the same language. This is only the beginning of what they will do [in rebellion against Me], and now no evil thing they imagine they can do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) go down and there confuse and mix up their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech." 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the surface of the entire earth; and they stopped building the city. 9 Therefore the name of the city was *Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the entire earth; and from that place the Lord scattered and dispersed them over the surface of all the earth.