[1] He that takes vengeance shall find vengeance from the Lord; And he will surely make firm his sins.
[2] Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he has doneyou; And then your sins shall be pardoned when you prayest.
[3] Man cherisheth anger against man; And does he seek healing from the Lord?
[4] Upon a man like himself he has no mercy; And does he make supplication for his own sins?
[5] He being himself flesh nourisheth wrath: Who shall make atonement for his sins?
[6] Remember your last end, and cease from enmity: Remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.
[7] Remember the commandments, and be not angry with your neighbor; Andremember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.
[8] Abstain from strife, and you shall diminish your sins: For a passionate man will kindle strife;
[9] And a man that is a sinner will trouble friends, And will make debate among them that be at peace.
[10] As is the fuel of the fire, so will it burn; And as the stoutness of the strife is,so will it burn: As is the strength of the man,so will be his wrath; And as is his wealth,so will he exalt his anger.
[11] A contention begun in haste kindleth a fire; And a hasty fighting sheddeth blood.
[12] If you blow a spark, it shall burn; And if you spit upon it, it shall be quenched: And both these shall come out of your mouth.
[13] Curse the whisperer and double-tongued: For he has destroyed many that were at peace.
[14] A third person's tongue has shaken many, And dispersed them from nation to nation; And it has pulled down strong cities, And overthrown the houses of great men.
[15] A third person's tongue has cast out brave women, And deprived them of their labours.
[16] He that hearkeneth to it shall not find rest, Nor shall he dwell quietly.
[17] The stroke of a whip makes a mark in the flesh; But the stroke of a tongue will break bones.
[18] Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: Yet not so many as they that have fallen because of the tongue.
[19] Happy is he that is sheltered from it, That has not passed through the wrath thereof; That has not drawn its yoke, And has not been bound with its 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; And Hades were better than it.
[22] It shall not have rule over godly men; And they shall not be burned in its flame.
[23] They that forsake the Lord shall fall into it; And it shall burn among them, and shall not be quenched: It shall be sent forth upon them as a lion; And as a leopard it shall destroy them.
[24] Look that you hedge your possession about with thorns; Bind up your silver and your gold;
[25] And make a balance and a weight for your words; And make a door and a bar for your mouth.
[26] Take heed lest you slip therein; Lest you fall before one that lies in wait.