Sirach 28
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1 He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins [in remembrance.]
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2 Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest.
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3 One man beareth hatred against another, and doth he seek pardon from the Lord?
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4 He sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and doth he ask forgiveness of his own sins?
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5 If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his sins?
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6 Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; [remember] corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.
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7 Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbour: [remember] the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.
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8 Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins: for a furious man will kindle strife,
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9 A sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among them that be at peace.
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10 As the matter of the fire is, so it burneth: and as a man's strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his riches his anger riseth; and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed.
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11 An hasty contention kindleth a fire: and an hasty fighting sheddeth blood.
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12 If thou blow the spark, it shall burn: if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of thy mouth.
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13 Curse the whisperer and doubletongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace.
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14 A backbiting tongue hath disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation: strong cities hath it pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men.
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15 A backbiting tongue hath cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labours.
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16 Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly.
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17 The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.
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18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue.
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19 Well is he that is defended through the venom thereof; who hath not drawn the yoke thereof, nor hath been bound in her bands.
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20 For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass.
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21 The death thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it.
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22 It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.
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23 Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it shall burn in them, and not be quenched; it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard.
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24 Look that thou hedge thy possession about with thorns, and bind up thy silver and gold,
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25 And weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth.
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26 Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait.