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Ecclesiasticus

  Chapter 28  

28:1 He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.

28:2 Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurt thee: and then shall thy sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest.

28:3 Man to man reserveth anger, and doth he seek remedy of God?

28:4 He hath no mercy on a man like himself, and doth he entreat for his own sins?

28:5 He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins?

28:6 Remember thy last things, and let enmity cease:

28:7 For corruption and death hang over in his commandments.

28:8 Remember the fear of God, and be not angry with thy neighbour.

28:9 Remember the covenant of the most High, and overlook the ignorance of thy neighbour.

28:10 Refrain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins.

28:11 For a passionate man kindleth strife, and a sinful man will trouble his friends, and bring in debate in the midst of them that are at peace.

28:12 For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire burneth, and as a man's strength is, so shall his anger be, and according to his riches he shall increase his anger.

28:13 A hasty contention kindleth a fire and a hasty quarrel sheddeth blood and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death.

28:14 If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth.

28:15 The whisperer and the double tongue is accursed: for he hath troubled many that were at peace.

28:16 The tongue of a third person hath disquieted many, and scattered them from nation to nation.

28:17 It hath destroyed the strong cities of the rich, and hath overthrown the houses of great men.

28:18 It hath cut in pieces the forces of people, and undone strong nations.

28:19 The tongue of a third person hath cast out valiant women, and deprived them of their labours.

28:20 He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall he have a friend in whom he may repose.

28:21 The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark: but the stroke of the tongue will break the bones.

28:22 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have perished by their own tongue.

28:23 Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.

28:24 For its yoke is a yoke of iron: and its bands are bands of brass.

28:25 The death thereof is a most evil death: and hell is preferable to it.

28:26 Its continuance shall not be for a long time, but it shall possess the ways of the unjust: and the just shall not be burnt with its flame.

28:27 They that forsake God shall fall into it, and it shall burn in them, and shall not be quenched, and it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and as a leopard it shall tear them.

28:28 Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue, and make doors and bars to thy mouth.

28:29 Melt down thy gold and silver, and make a balance for thy words, and a just bridle for thy mouth:

28:30 And take heed lest thou slip with thy tongue, and fall in the sight of thy enemies who lie in wait for thee, and thy fall be incurable unto death.