The King James Version Bible

Sirach 28:2-17

  1. Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest.

  2. One man beareth hatred against another, and doth he seek pardon from the Lord?

  3. He sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and doth he ask forgiveness of his own sins?

  4. If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his sins?

  5. Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; [remember] corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.

  6. Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbour: [remember] the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.

  7. Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins: for a furious man will kindle strife,

  8. A sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among them that be at peace.

  9. 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.

  10. An hasty contention kindleth a fire: and an hasty fighting sheddeth blood.

  11. 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.

  12. Curse the whisperer and doubletongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace.

  13. 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.

  14. A backbiting tongue hath cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labours.

  15. Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly.

  16. The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.