Sirach 28
28
1He who takes vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord,
and he will surely make his sins firm.
2Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he has done,
and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.
3Does anyone harbor anger against another
and expect healing from the Lord?
4Upon a man like himself he has no mercy,
and does he make supplication for his own sins?
5He himself, being flesh, nourishes wrath.
Who will make atonement for his sins?
6Remember your last end, and stop enmity.
Remember corruption and death, and be true to the commandments.
7Remember the commandments, and don’t be angry with your neighbor.
Remember the covenant of the Highest, and overlook ignorance.
8Abstain from strife, and you will diminish your sins,
for a passionate man will kindle strife.
9A man who is a sinner will trouble friends
and sow discord among those who are at peace.
10As is the fuel of the fire, so it will burn;
and as the stoutness of the strife is, so it will burn.
As is the strength of the man, so will be his wrath;
and as is his wealth, so he will exalt his anger.
11A contention begun in haste kindles a fire;
and hasty fighting sheds blood.
12If you blow on a spark, it will burn;
and if you spit upon it, it will be quenched.
Both of these come out of your mouth.
13Curse the whisperer and double-tongued,
for he has destroyed many who were at peace.
14A slanderer has shaken many,
and dispersed them from nation to nation.
It has pulled down strong cities
and overthrown the houses of great men.
15A slanderer has cast out brave women
and deprived them of their labors.
16He who listens to it will not find rest,
nor will he live quietly.
17The stroke of a whip makes a mark in the flesh,
but the stroke of a tongue will break bones.
18Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,
yet not so many as those who have fallen because of the tongue.
19Happy is he who is sheltered from it,
who has not passed through its wrath,
who has not drawn its yoke,
and has not been bound with its bands.
20For its yoke is a yoke of iron,
and its bands are bands of brass.
21Its death is an evil death,
and Hades is better than it.
22It will not have rule over godly men.
They will not be burned in its flame.
23Those who forsake the Lord will fall into it.
It will burn among them, and won’t be quenched.
It will be sent against them like a lion.
It will destroy them like a leopard.
24As you hedge your possession about with thorns,
and secure your silver and your gold,
25so make a balance and a weight for your words,
and make a door and a bar for your mouth.
26Take heed lest you slip with it,
lest you fall before one who lies in wait.
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Sirach 28: WEBUS
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