|
[1] He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins [in remembrance.]
[2] Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest.
[3] One man beareth hatred against another, and doth he seek pardon from the Lord?
[4] He sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and doth he ask forgiveness of his own sins?
[5] If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his sins?
[6] Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; [remember] corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.
[7] Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbour: [remember] the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.
[8] Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins: for a furious man will kindle strife,
[9] A sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among them that be at peace.
[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.
[11] An hasty contention kindleth a fire: and an hasty fighting sheddeth blood.
[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.
[13] Curse the whisperer and doubletongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace.
[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.
[15] A backbiting tongue hath cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labours.
[16] Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly.
[17] The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.
[18] Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue.
[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.
[20] For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass.
[21] The death thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it.
[22] It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.
[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.
[24] Look that thou hedge thy possession about with thorns, and bind up thy silver and gold,
[25] And weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth.
[26] Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait.
|