Ecclesiasticus 28

1He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.● 2Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurt thee: and then shall thy sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest.● 3Man to man reserveth anger, and doth he seek remedy of God?● 4He hath no mercy on a man like himself, and doth he entreat for his own sins?● 5He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins?● 6Remember thy last things, and let enmity cease:● 7For corruption and death hang over in his commandments.● 8Remember the fear of God, and be not angry with thy neighbour.● 9Remember the covenant of the most High, and overlook the ignorance of thy neighbour.● 10Refrain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins.● 11For a passionate man kindleth strife, and a sinful man will trouble his friends, and bring in debate in the midst of them that are at peace.● 12For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire burneth, and as a man's strength is, so shall his anger be, and according to his riches he shall increase his anger.● 13A hasty contention kindleth a fire and a hasty quarrel sheddeth blood and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death.● 14If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth.● 15The whisperer and the double tongue is accursed: for he hath troubled many that were at peace.● 16The tongue of a third person hath disquieted many, and scattered them from nation to nation.● 17It hath destroyed the strong cities of the rich, and hath overthrown the houses of great men.● 18It hath cut in pieces the forces of people, and undone strong nations.● 19The tongue of a third person hath cast out valiant women, and deprived them of their labours.● 20He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall he have a friend in whom he may repose.● 21The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark: but the stroke of the tongue will break the bones.● 22Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have perished by their own tongue.● 23Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.● 24For its yoke is a yoke of iron: and its bands are bands of brass.● 25The death thereof is a most evil death: and hell is preferable to it.● 26Its continuance shall not be for a long time, but it shall possess the ways of the unjust: and the just shall not be burnt with its flame.● 27They that forsake God shall fall into it, and it shall burn in them, and shall not be quenched, and it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and as a leopard it shall tear them.● 28Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue, and make doors and bars to thy mouth.● 29Melt down thy gold and silver, and make a balance for thy words, and a just bridle for thy mouth:● 30And take heed lest thou slip with thy tongue, and fall in the sight of thy enemies who lie in wait for thee, and thy fall be incurable unto death.●