Sirach 28

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Whoever exacts vengeance wil experience the vengeance of the Lord, who keeps strict account of sin.	1 Whoever exacts vengeance wil experience the vengeance of the Lord, who keeps strict account of sin.
2 Pardon your neighbour any wrongs done to you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.	2 Pardon your neighbour any wrongs done to you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.
3 If anyone nurses anger against another, can one then demand compassion from the Lord?	3 If anyone nurses anger against another, can one then demand compassion from the Lord?
4 Showing no pity for someone like oneself, can one then plead for one's own sins?	4 Showing no pity for someone like oneself, can one then plead for one's own sins?
5 Mere creature of flesh, yet cherishing resentment!-who wil forgive one for sinning?	5 Mere creature of flesh, yet cherishing resentment!-who wil forgive one for sinning?
6 Remember the last things, and stop hating, corruption and death, and be faithful to the commandments.	6 Remember the last things, and stop hating, corruption and death, and be faithful to the commandments.
7 Remember the commandments, and do not bear your fel ow il -wil , remember the covenant of the MostHigh, and ignore the offence.	7 Remember the commandments, and do not bear your fel ow il -wil , remember the covenant of the MostHigh, and ignore the offence.
8 Avoid quarrel ing and you wil sin less; for the hot-tempered provokes quarrels,	8 Avoid quarrel ing and you wil sin less; for the hot-tempered provokes quarrels,
9 a sinner sows trouble between friends, introducing discord among the peaceful.	9 a sinner sows trouble between friends, introducing discord among the peaceful.
10 The way a fire burns depends on its fuel, a quarrel spreads in proportion to its violence; a man's ragedepends on his strength, his fury grows fiercer in proportion to his wealth.	10 The way a fire burns depends on its fuel, a quarrel spreads in proportion to its violence; a man's ragedepends on his strength, his fury grows fiercer in proportion to his wealth.
11 A sudden quarrel kindles fire, a hasty dispute leads to bloodshed.	11 A sudden quarrel kindles fire, a hasty dispute leads to bloodshed.
12 Blow on a spark and up it flares, spit on it and out it goes; both are the effects of your mouth.	12 Blow on a spark and up it flares, spit on it and out it goes; both are the effects of your mouth.
13 A curse on the scandal-monger and double-talker, such a person has ruined many who lived inconcord.	13 A curse on the scandal-monger and double-talker, such a person has ruined many who lived inconcord.
14 That third tongue has shattered the peace of many and driven them from nation to nation; it has pul eddown fortified cities, and overthrown the houses of the great.	14 That third tongue has shattered the peace of many and driven them from nation to nation; it has pul eddown fortified cities, and overthrown the houses of the great.
15 The third tongue has had upright wives divorced, depriving them of reward for their hard work.	15 The third tongue has had upright wives divorced, depriving them of reward for their hard work.
16 No one who listens to it wil ever know peace of mind, wil ever live in peace again.	16 No one who listens to it wil ever know peace of mind, wil ever live in peace again.
17 A stroke of the whip raises a weal, but a stroke of the tongue breaks bones.	17 A stroke of the whip raises a weal, but a stroke of the tongue breaks bones.
18 Many have fal en by the edge of the sword, but many more have fal en by the tongue.	18 Many have fal en by the edge of the sword, but many more have fal en by the tongue.
19 Blessed is anyone who has been sheltered from it, and has not experienced its fury, who has notdragged its yoke about, or been bound in its chains;	19 Blessed is anyone who has been sheltered from it, and has not experienced its fury, who has notdragged its yoke about, or been bound in its chains;
20 for its yoke is an iron yoke, its chains are bronze chains;	20 for its yoke is an iron yoke, its chains are bronze chains;
21 the death it inflicts is a miserable death, Sheol is preferable to it.	21 the death it inflicts is a miserable death, Sheol is preferable to it.
22 It cannot gain a hold over the devout, they are not burnt by its flames.	22 It cannot gain a hold over the devout, they are not burnt by its flames.
23 Those who desert the Lord wil fal into it, it wil flare up inextinguishably among them, it wil be letloose against them like a lion, it wil tear them like a leopard.	23 Those who desert the Lord wil fal into it, it wil flare up inextinguishably among them, it wil be letloose against them like a lion, it wil tear them like a leopard.
24 Be sure you put a thorn-hedge round your property, lock away your silver and gold;	24 Be sure you put a thorn-hedge round your property, lock away your silver and gold;
25 then make scales and weights for your words, and put a door with bolts across your mouth.	25 then make scales and weights for your words, and put a door with bolts across your mouth.
26 Take care you take no false step through it, in case you fal a prey to him who lies in wait.	26 Take care you take no false step through it, in case you fal a prey to him who lies in wait.