Lessons against revenge and quarrels. The evils of the tongue.
28:1. He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the
Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.
28:2. Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurt thee: and then shall thy
sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest.
28:3. Man to man reserveth anger, and doth he seek remedy of God?
28:4. He hath no mercy on a man like himself, and doth he entreat for
his own sins?
28:5. He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask
forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins?
28:6. Remember thy last things, and let enmity cease:
28:7. For corruption and death hang over in his commandments.
In his commandments. . .Supply the sentence out of the Greek thus:
Remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.
28:8. Remember the fear of God, and be not angry with thy neighbour.
28:9. Remember the covenant of the most High, and overlook the
ignorance of thy neighbour.
28:10. Refrain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins.
28:11. For a passionate man kindleth strife, and a sinful man will
trouble his friends, and bring in debate in the midst of them that are
at peace.
28:12. For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire burneth, and as a
man's strength is, so shall his anger be, and according to his riches
he shall increase his anger.
28:13. A hasty contention kindleth a fire and a hasty quarrel sheddeth
blood and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death.
28:14. If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou
spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth.
28:15. The whisperer and the double tongue is accursed: for he hath
troubled many that were at peace.
28:16. The tongue of a third person hath disquieted many, and scattered
them from nation to nation.
28:17. It hath destroyed the strong cities of the rich, and hath
overthrown the houses of great men.
28:18. It hath cut in pieces the forces of people, and undone strong
nations.
28:19. The tongue of a third person hath cast out valiant women, and
deprived them of their labours.
28:20. He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall
he have a friend in whom he may repose.
28:21. The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark: but the stroke of the
tongue will break the bones.
28:22. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as
have perished by their own tongue.
28:23. Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath
not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke
thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.
28:24. For its yoke is a yoke of iron: and its bands are bands of
brass.
28:25. The death thereof is a most evil death: and hell is preferable
to it.
28:26. Its continuance shall not be for a long time, but it shall
possess the ways of the unjust: and the just shall not be burnt with
its flame.
28:27. They that forsake God shall fall into it, and it shall burn in
them, and shall not be quenched, and it shall be sent upon them as a
lion, and as a leopard it shall tear them.
28:28. Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue, and
make doors and bars to thy mouth.
28:29. Melt down thy gold and silver, and make a balance for thy words,
and a just bridle for thy mouth:
28:30. And take heed lest thou slip with thy tongue, and fall in the
sight of thy enemies who lie in wait for thee, and thy fall be
incurable unto death.