Wisdom of Sirach 28
1He that revenges shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.
2Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he has done to you, so shall your sins also be forgiven when you pray.
3One man bears hatred against another, and does he seek pardon from the Lord?
4He shows no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and does he ask forgiveness of his own sins?
5If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will entreat for pardon of his sins?
6Remember your end, and let enmity cease; remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.
7Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to your neighbor: remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.
8Abstain from strife, and you shall diminish your sins: for a furious man will kindle strife,
9A sinful man disquiets friends, and makes debate among them that be at peace.
10As the matter of the fire is, so it burns: and as a man's strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his riches his anger rises; and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed.
11An hasty contention kindles a fire: and an hasty fighting sheds blood.
12If you blow the spark, it shall burn: if you spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of your mouth.
13Curse the whisperer and double-tongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace.
14A backbiting tongue has disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation: strong cities has it pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men.
15A backbiting tongue has cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labors.
16Whoso hearkens to it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly.
17The stroke of the whip makes marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaks the bones.
18Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue.
19Well is he that is defended through the venom thereof; who has not drawn the yoke thereof, nor has been bound in her bands.
20For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass.
21The death thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it.
22It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.
23Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it shall burn in them, and not be quenched; it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard.
24Look that you hedge your possession about with thorns, and bind up your silver and gold,
25And weigh your words in a balance, and make a door and bar for your mouth.
26Beware you slide not by it, lest you fall before him that lies in wait.
Commentaries for Wisdom of Sirach 28:0