Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 1. He who seeks revenge will find it from the Lord, And He will surely punish his sins.
Showing Mercy
Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 2. Forgive a wrong done you by your neighbor; Then your sins will be pardoned when you pray. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 3. Can a man preserve wrath against his neighbor And still seek healing from the Lord? Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 4. Can he show no mercy toward a man like himself And still beg God for mercy for himself? Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 5. If he being flesh keeps his anger continually, Who will atone for his sins? Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 6. Remember the end of your life And cease from enmity; Remember destruction and death And stand fast in the commandments. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 7. Remember the commandments And do not vent your wrath against your neighbor; Remember the covenant of the Most High And overlook faults.
Cease Quarreling and Evil Talk
Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 8. Refrain from quarreling and you will decrease your sins, For a man who is hot-tempered will kindle quarreling. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 9. A sinful man will trouble his friends, And among those who live in peace he will inject unfriendliness. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 10. The heat of a fire will be kindled according to the amount of wood; So also the heat of a fire will be kindled according to the obstinacy of quarreling. According to the strength of a man, so his anger shall be; And according to his wealth, he will increase his wrath. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 11. A hasty quarrel kindles a fire,, And a vigorous quarrel sheds blood. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 12. If you blow on a spark, it will kindle a fire, But if you spit on it, it will be quenched; Yet both come out of your mouth. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 13. Curse a slanderous and deceitful man, For he has destroyed many who were at peace. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 14. Slander has unsettled many And scattered them from nation to nation; And it has destroyed strong cities And overturned the houses of great men. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 15. Slander has driven away courageous women And robbed them of their labors. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 16. He who devotes himself to slander will not find rest, Nor shall he dwell in quietness. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 17. The blow from a whip causes a wound, But a blow from the tongue breaks bones. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 18. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, But not so many as those who have fallen because of the tongue. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 19. Blessed is the man who is sheltered from it, Who has not passed through the anger of the tongue; Who does not drag its yoke And is not bound by its chains. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 20. For its yoke is a yoke of iron, And its chains are chains of bronze. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 21. Its death is an evil death, And Hades is preferable to it. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 22. An evil tongue will not prevail over the godly, And they will not be burned in its flame. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 23. Those who forsake the Lord will fall into it, And among them it will be kindled; And it will not be quenched. It will set upon them like a lion, And like a leopard it will mangle them. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 24. See that you fence in your possessions with thorns; Lock up your silver and gold. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 25. Make balances and scales for your words And bar and bolt the door of your mouth. Wisdom of Sirach 28, verse 26. Beware lest you make a slip with your tongue, Lest you fall victim before him who lies in wait.