God's New Revelations

The Book of Jesus Sirach

Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 28 -

Lessons against revenge and quarrels. The evils of the tongue.

1
Whoever wishes for vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely be attentive to his sins.
2
Forgive your neighbor, if he has harmed you, and then your sins will be forgiven you when you pray.
3
A man holds on to anger against another man, and does he then seek a remedy from God?
4
He has no mercy on a man like himself, and does he then entreat for his own sins?
5
He who is but flesh holds on to anger, and does he then request forgiveness from God? Who can obtain pardon for his sins in this way?
6
Remember your very end, and let animosities cease.
7
For corruption and death are suspended over his commandments.(a)
8
Remember the fear of God, and do not be angry with your neighbor.
9
Remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the ignorant offenses of your neighbor.
10
Refrain from strife, and you will diminish your sins.
11
For an ill-tempered man enflames conflict, and a sinful man troubles his friends, and he casts hostility into the midst of those who have peace.
12
For the fire burns according to the wood of the forest. And the anger of a man burns according to the strength of the man. And according to his resources, he will exalt his anger.
13
A hasty contention kindles a fire. And a hasty quarrel sheds blood. And an accusatory tongue brings death.
14
If you blow on a spark, it will increase to a fire. But if you spit on it, it will be extinguished. Both of these proceed from the mouth.
15
The double-tongued whisperer is accursed. For he has disturbed many who had peace.
16
A third tongue has stirred up many, and has scattered them from nation to nation.
17
It has destroyed the walled cities of the wealthy, and has undermined the houses of the great.
18
It has cut down the virtues of the peoples, and has broken strong nations.
19
A third tongue has cast down virtuous women, and has deprived them of their labors.
20
Whoever favors it will not have rest, nor will he have a friend in whom he may find peace.
21
The wound of a whip causes a bruise, but the wound of the tongue will crush the bones.
22
Many have fallen by the mouth of the sword, but not as many as have perished by their own tongue.
23
Blessed is he who is protected from a wicked tongue, who has not gone over to its wrath, and has not pulled its yoke, and has not been bound by its chains.
24
For its yoke is a yoke of iron. And its chains are chains of brass.
25
Its death is a most wicked death. And hell is more useful than it is.
26
Its continuance will not be permanent, but it will take hold of the ways of the unjust. And the just will not be burned by its flame.
27
Those who abandon God will fall by it, and it will burn within them and not be quenched. And it will be sent upon them, like a lion, and it will wound them, like a leopard.
28
Hedge your ears with thorns. Do not be willing to listen to a wicked tongue. And make doors and bars for your mouth.
29
Melt down your gold and your silver. And make a scale for your words, and an upright bridle for your mouth.
30
And be attentive, lest perhaps you may slip with your tongue, and fall in the sight of your enemies, who are lying in wait for you, and then your fall may be incurable unto death.

Footnotes

(a)28:7 In his commandments:Supply the sentence out of the Greek thus: Remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.(Challoner)

Lessons against revenge and quarrels. The evils of the tongue.

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