Sirach 28

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 The vengeful will suffer the LORD'S vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail.	1 Whoever wishes for vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely be attentive to his sins.
2 Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.	2 Forgive your neighbor, if he has harmed you, and then your sins will be forgiven you when you pray.
3 Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the LORD?	3 A man holds on to anger against another man, and does he then seek a remedy from God?
4 Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins?	4 He has no mercy on a man like himself, and does he then entreat for his own sins?
5 If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his 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 last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin!	6 Remember your very end, and let animosities cease.
7 Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; of the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults.	7 For corruption and death are suspended over his commandments.
8 Avoid strife and your sins will be fewer, for a quarrelsome man kindles disputes,	8 Remember the fear of God, and do not be angry with your neighbor.
9 Commits the sin of disrupting friendship and sows discord among those at peace.	9 Remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the ignorant offenses of your neighbor.
10 The more wood, the greater the fire, the more underlying it, the fiercer the fight; The greater a man's strength, the sterner his anger, the greater his power, the greater his wrath.	10 Refrain from strife, and you will diminish your sins.
11 Pitch and resin make fires flare up, and insistent quarrels provoke bloodshed.	11 For a 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 If you blow upon a spark, it quickens into flame, if you spit on it, it dies out; yet both you do with your mouth!	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 Cursed be gossips and the double-tongued, for they destroy the peace of many.	13 A hasty contention kindles a fire. And a hasty quarrel sheds blood. And an accusatory tongue brings death.
14 A meddlesome tongue subverts many, and makes them refugees among the peoples; It destroys walled cities, and overthrows powerful dynasties.	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 A meddlesome tongue can drive virtuous women from their homes and rob them of the fruit of their toil;	15 The double-tongued whisperer is accursed. For he has disturbed many who had peace.
16 Whoever heeds it has no rest, nor can he dwell in peace.	16 A third tongue has stirred up many, and has scattered them from nation to nation.
17 A blow from a whip raises a welt, but a blow from the tongue smashes bones;	17 It has destroyed the walled cities of the wealthy, and has undermined the houses of the great.
18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not as many as by the tongue.	18 It has cut down the virtues of the peoples, and has broken strong nations.
19 Happy he who is sheltered from it, and has not endured its wrath; Who has not borne its yoke nor been fettered with its chain;	19 A third tongue has cast down virtuous women, and has deprived them of their labors.
20 For its yoke is a yoke of iron and its chains are chains of bronze!	20 Whoever favors it will not have rest, nor will he have a friend in whom he may find peace.
21 Dire is the death it inflicts, besides which even the nether world is a gain;	21 The wound of a whip causes a bruise, but the wound of the tongue will crush the bones.
22 It will not take hold among the just nor scorch them in its flame,	22 Many have fallen by the mouth of the sword, but not as many as have perished by their own tongue.
23 But those who forsake the LORD will fall victims to it, as it burns among them unquenchably! It will hurl itself against them like a lion; like a panther, it will tear them to pieces.	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 As you hedge round your vineyard with thorns, set barred doors over your mouth;	24 For its yoke is a yoke of iron. And its chains are chains of brass.
25 As you seal up your silver and gold, so balance and weigh your words.	25 Its death is a most wicked death. And hell is more useful than it is.
26 Take care not to slip by your tongue and fall victim to your foe waiting in ambush.	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.