Sirach 28
28
1Those who are vengeful
will suffer the Lord’s vengeance,
because the Lord keeps strict count
of their sins.
2Forgive your neighbor a wrong,
and then, when you pray,
your sins will be forgiven.
3Can people hold on to their anger
against others, and then look for healing from the Lord?
4Can they refuse to have mercy
on people like themselves,
and then pray about their own sins?
5If they, who are just flesh,
hold on to anger,
who will secure pardon
for their own sins?
6Be mindful of the end that awaits you,
and put an end to enmity;
be mindful of decay and death,
and be faithful to the commandments.
7Be mindful of the commandments,
and don’t be irate at your neighbor;
be mindful of the covenant of the
Most High, and overlook a mistake.
8Keep away from conflict,
and you will reduce your sins;
for hot-tempered people spark conflict.
9Sinful people will stir up trouble for friends,
and they spread slander
among people who are at peace.
10A fire burns in proportion to its fuel,
and conflict increases
the longer it continues.
The more powerful individuals are,
the stronger their anger will be;
and the wealthier they are,
the more their wrath will increase.
11A hasty quarrel sparks a fire,
and hasty conflict sheds blood.
12If you blow on a spark, it will flame up,
and if you spit on it, it will go out;
nonetheless, both come out
of your mouth.
13A curse on slanderers and the deceitful,#28.13 LXX double-tongued
because they have destroyed many
who are at peace.
14Slander#28.14 LXX a third tongue has shaken up many people,
scattered them from nation to nation,
demolished mighty cities,
and overthrown the houses
of dignitaries.
15Slander#28.15 LXX a third tongue has driven out
courageous women,
and it has deprived them
of the rewards of their work.
16Those who pay attention to slander
will never find rest,
nor will they live in peace.
17The blow of a whip leaves a welt,
but the blow of the tongue
will break bones.
18Many have fallen by the edge
of the sword,
but many more have fallen
because of the tongue.
19Happy is the person
who is protected from the tongue,
who hasn’t endured its anger,
who hasn’t pulled its yoke
or been bound by its shackles.
20Its yoke is made of iron,
and its shackles are made of bronze.
21The death it inflicts is a wicked death,
and the grave#28.21 LXX Hades; Heb Sheol is preferable to it.
22It will never conquer the godly,
and they won’t be burned by its flame.
23Those who abandon the Lord will
fall to it;
it will burn within them,
and it will never go out.
It will be sent against them like a lion,
and like a leopard it will mangle them.
24 aWatch out! Fence in your property
with thorns,
25 band make a door
and a bolt for your mouth.
24 b Lock up your silver and gold;
25 amake a balance and a weight
for your words.#28.25 The lines of these verses have suffered transposition in some manuscripts.
26Pay attention, and don’t slip
by your tongue;
don’t fall in front of those
who are just waiting to attack you.
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Sirach 28: CEB
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