2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5 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!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Sermon Notes
Outline:
1. Speak considerate words (vv.1-8)
2. Sustain beautiful heart (vv.9-12)
3. Seek heavenly wisdom (vv.13-18)
1 : 1 起初, 神创造天地。
1 : 2 地是空虚混沌,深渊上面一片黑暗; 神的灵 运行在水面上。
1 : 3 神说:「要有光」,就有了光。
1 : 4 神看光是好的,于是 神就把光和暗分开。
1 : 5 神称光为「昼」,称暗为「夜」。有晚上,有早晨,这是第一日。
1 : 6 神说:「众水之间要有穹苍,把水和水分开。」
1 : 7 神就造了穹苍,把穹苍以下的水和穹苍以上的水分开。事就这样成了。
1 : 8 神称穹苍为「天」。有晚上,有早晨,这是第二日。
1 : 9 神说:「天下面的水要聚集在一处,使干地露出来。」事就这样成了。
1 : 10 神称干地为「地」,称聚集在一起的水为「海」。 神看为好的。
1 : 11 神说:「地要长出植物,就是含种子的五谷菜蔬,和会结果子、果子裏有种子的树,在地上各从其类。」事就这样成了。
1 : 12 于是地长出了植物:含种子的五谷菜蔬,各从其类;会结果子、果子裏有种子的树,各从其类。 神看为好的。
1 : 13 有晚上,有早晨,这是第三日。
1 : 14 神说:「天上要有光体来分昼夜,让它们作记号,定季节、日子、年份,
1 : 15 它们要在天空发光,照在地上。」事就这样成了。
1 : 16 于是 神造了两个大光体,大的管昼,小的管夜,又造了星辰。
1 : 17 神把这些光体摆列在天空,照在地上,
1 : 18 管理昼夜,分别光暗。 神看为好的。
1 : 19 有晚上,有早晨,这是第四日。
1 : 20 神说:「水要滋生众多有生命之物;要有鸟飞在地面以上,天空之中。」
1 : 21 神就创造了大鱼和在水裏滋生的各样活动的生物,各从其类,以及各样有翅膀的鸟,各从其类。 神看为好的。
1 : 22 神就赐福给这一切,说:「要繁殖增多,充满在海的水裏;飞鸟也要在地上增多。」
1 : 23 有晚上,有早晨,这是第五日。
1 : 24 神说:「地要生出有生命之物,各从其类,就是牲畜、爬行动物、地上的走兽,各从其类。」事就这样成了。
1 : 25 于是 神造了地上的走兽,各从其类;牲畜,各从其类;和地上一切的爬行动物,各从其类。 神看为好的。
1 : 26 神说:「我们要照着我们的形像,按着我们的样式造人,使他们管理海裏的鱼、天空的鸟、地上的牲畜和全地,以及地上爬的一切爬行动物。」
1 : 27 神就照着他的形像创造人,照着 神的形像创造他们;他创造了他们,有男有女。
1 : 28 神赐福给他们, 神对他们说:「要生养众多,遍满这地,治理它;要管理海裏的鱼、天空的鸟和地上各样活动的生物。」
1 : 29 神说:「看哪,我把全地一切含种子的五谷菜蔬和一切会结果子、果子裏有种子的树,都赐给你们;这些都可作食物。
1 : 30 至于地上一切的走兽、天空一切的飞鸟,并一切在地上爬行的,有生命的动物,我把绿色植物赐给牠们作食物。」事就这样成了。
1 : 31 神看一切所造的,看哪,都非常好。有晚上,有早晨,这是第六日。