Sirach 28

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Whoever exacts vengeance wil experience the vengeance of the Lord, who keeps strict account of sin.	1 Whoever wishes for vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely be attentive to his sins.
2 Pardon your neighbour any wrongs done to you, and when you pray, your 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 If anyone nurses anger against another, can one then demand compassion from the Lord?	3 A man holds on to anger against another man, and does he then seek a remedy from God?
4 Showing no pity for someone like oneself, can one then plead for one's own sins?	4 He has no mercy on a man like himself, and does he then entreat for his own sins?
5 Mere creature of flesh, yet cherishing resentment!-who wil forgive one for sinning?	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 the last things, and stop hating, corruption and death, and be faithful to the commandments.	6 Remember your very end, and let animosities cease.
7 Remember the commandments, and do not bear your fel ow il -wil , remember the covenant of the MostHigh, and ignore the offence.	7 For corruption and death are suspended over his commandments.
8 Avoid quarrel ing and you wil sin less; for the hot-tempered provokes quarrels,	8 Remember the fear of God, and do not be angry with your neighbor.
9 a sinner sows trouble between friends, introducing discord among the peaceful.	9 Remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the ignorant offenses of your neighbor.
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 Refrain from strife, and you will diminish your sins.
11 A sudden quarrel kindles fire, a hasty dispute leads to 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 Blow on a spark and up it flares, spit on it and out it goes; both are the effects of 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 A curse on the scandal-monger and double-talker, such a person has ruined many who lived inconcord.	13 A hasty contention kindles a fire. And a hasty quarrel sheds blood. And an accusatory tongue brings death.
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 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 The third tongue has had upright wives divorced, depriving them of reward for their hard work.	15 The double-tongued whisperer is accursed. For he has disturbed many who had peace.
16 No one who listens to it wil ever know peace of mind, wil ever live in peace again.	16 A third tongue has stirred up many, and has scattered them from nation to nation.
17 A stroke of the whip raises a weal, but a stroke of the tongue breaks bones.	17 It has destroyed the walled cities of the wealthy, and has undermined the houses of the great.
18 Many have fal en by the edge of the sword, but many more have fal en by the tongue.	18 It has cut down the virtues of the peoples, and has broken strong nations.
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 A third tongue has cast down virtuous women, and has deprived them of their labors.
20 for its yoke is an iron yoke, its chains are bronze chains;	20 Whoever favors it will not have rest, nor will he have a friend in whom he may find peace.
21 the death it inflicts is a miserable death, Sheol is preferable to it.	21 The wound of a whip causes a bruise, but the wound of the tongue will crush the bones.
22 It cannot gain a hold over the devout, they are not burnt by its flames.	22 Many have fallen by the mouth of the sword, but not as many as have perished by their own tongue.
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 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 Be sure you put a thorn-hedge round your property, lock away your silver and gold;	24 For its yoke is a yoke of iron. And its chains are chains of brass.
25 then make scales and weights for your words, and put a door with bolts across your mouth.	25 Its death is a most wicked death. And hell is more useful than it is.
26 Take care you take no false step through it, in case you fal a prey to him who lies in wait.	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.