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Apoteichisis

The Old Testament

Wisdom of Sirach 28

ΣΟΦΙΑ ΣΕΙΡΑΧ · 28

Brenton 28:1

He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins [in remembrance].

Brenton 28:2

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

Brenton 28:3

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

Brenton 28:4

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

Brenton 28:5

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

Brenton 28:6

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

Brenton 28:7

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

Brenton 28:8

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

Brenton 28:9

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

Brenton 28:10

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.

Brenton 28:11

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

Brenton 28:12

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.

Brenton 28:13

Curse the whisperer and double-tongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace.

Brenton 28:14

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.

Brenton 28:15

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

Brenton 28:16

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

Brenton 28:17

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

Brenton 28:18

Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue.

Brenton 28:19

Well is he that is defended from it, and hath not passed through the venom thereof, who hath not drawn the yoke thereof, nor hath been bound in her bands.

Brenton 28:20

For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass.

Brenton 28:21

The death thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it.

Brenton 28:22

It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.

Brenton 28:23

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.

Brenton 28:24

Look that thou hedge thy possession about with thorns, and bind up thy silver and gold,

Brenton 28:25

and weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth.

Brenton 28:26

Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait.

Brenton supplied wording, small capitals, translation notes, Greek wording, and edition-specific verse identifiers are retained. Parallel passages keep each edition's own references. Editions and sources.