Sirach 28

1 Whoever takes revenge will find vengeance from the Lord, who will keep that person’s sins firmly in mind.

2 Forgive your neighbor’s wrongdoing, and then your sins will be released when you pray.

3 One person holds on to anger against another, yet seeks healing from the Lord?

4 He shows no mercy to a person like himself, yet pleads concerning his own sins?

5 If someone who is only flesh holds on to resentment, who will make atonement for his sins?

6 Remember your end and stop being hostile. Remember decay and death, and remain faithful to the commands.

7 Remember the commands and do not bear malice against your neighbor. Remember the covenant of the Most High and overlook ignorance.

8 Keep away from fighting and you will reduce your sins, for an angry person kindles a fight.

9 A sinner disturbs friends and introduces slander among people at peace.

10 A fire burns according to its fuel, and a fight burns according to how firmly it is sustained. A person’s wrath matches his strength, and his anger rises with his wealth.

11 A quarrel that escalates quickly kindles fire, and a fight that escalates quickly sheds blood.

12 If you blow on a spark, it ignites; if you spit on it, it goes out. Both actions come from your mouth.

13 Curse the whisperer and the double-tongued person, for such a person has destroyed many who were at peace.

14 A slanderous tongue has shaken many and scattered them from nation to nation. It has torn down fortified cities and overthrown the houses of the great.

15 A slanderous tongue has driven out capable women and deprived them of the fruit of their labor.

16 Whoever listens to it will never find rest or settle in peace.

17 A whip’s blow leaves a bruise, but a tongue’s blow breaks bones.

18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not as many as have fallen because of the tongue.

19 Blessed is the person protected from it, who has not passed through its fury, pulled its yoke, or been bound in its chains.

20 Its yoke is an iron yoke, and its chains are bronze chains.

21 The death it brings is an evil death; Hades is preferable to it.

22 It will not rule over the devout, and they will not burn in its flame.

23 Those who abandon the Lord will fall into it. It will burn among them and will not be extinguished; it will be sent against them like a lion and ravage them like a leopard.

24 Surround your property with a thorn hedge, and keep your silver and gold securely tied up.

25 Make a balance and scale for your words, and make a door and bar for your mouth.

26 Be careful not to slip because of the tongue and fall before someone lying in wait.