Page 862 - bible

856 Ecclesiasticus

8 Remember the fear of God, and be not angry tongue.
with thy neighbour. 23 Blessed is he that is defended from a
9 Remember the covenant of the most High, wicked tongue, that hath not passed into the
and overlook the ignorance of thy neighbour. wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke
10 Refrain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.
thy sins. 24 For its yoke is a yoke of iron: and its bands
11 For a passionate man kindleth strife, and a are bands of brass.
sinful man will trouble his friends, and bring in 25 The death thereof is a most evil death: and
debate in the midst of them that are at peace. hell is preferable to it.
12 For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire 26 Its continuance shall not be for a long time,
burneth, and as a man’s strength is, so shall his but it shall possess the ways of the unjust: and
anger be, and according to his riches he shall the just shall not be burnt with its flame.
increase his anger. 27 They that forsake God shall fall into it, and
13 A hasty contention kindleth a fire and a it shall burn in them, and shall not be quenched,
hasty quarrel sheddeth blood and a tongue that and it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and as
beareth witness bringeth death. a leopard it shall tear them.
14 If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as 28 Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a
a fire: and if thou spit upon it, it shall be wicked tongue, and make doors and bars to thy
quenched: both come out of the mouth. mouth.
15 The whisperer and the double tongue is 29 Melt down thy gold and silver, and make a
accursed: for he hath troubled many that were balance for thy words, and a just bridle for thy
at peace. mouth:
16 The tongue of a third person hath disqui-
30 And take heed lest thou slip with thy
eted many, and scattered them from nation to tongue, and fall in the sight of thy enemies who
nation.
lie in wait for thee, and thy fall be incurable unto
17 It hath destroyed the strong cities of the death.
rich, and hath overthrown the houses of great
men.
18 It hath cut in pieces the forces of people, Chapter 29
and undone strong nations.
19 The tongue of a third person hath cast He that sheweth mercy, lendeth to his neighbour:
out valiant women, and deprived them of their and he that is stronger in hand, keepeth the com-
labours. mandments.
20 He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have 2 Lend to thy neighbour in the time of his
rest, neither shall he have a friend in whom he need, and pay thou thy neighbour again in due
may repose. time.
21 The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark: 3 Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him:
but the stroke of the tongue will break the bones. and thou shalt always find that which is neces-
22 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, sary for thee.
but not so many as have perished by their own 4 Many have looked upon a thing lent as a