Bible Text & Cross-references:
Lessons against revenge and quarrels. The evils of the
tongue.
1 He *that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the
Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.
2 Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurt thee: and then shall thy sins
be forgiven to thee when thou prayest.
3 Man to man reserveth anger, and doth he seek remedy of God?
4 He hath no mercy on a man like himself, and doth he entreat for his
own sins?
5 He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness
of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins?
6 Remember thy last things, and let enmity cease:
7 For corruption and death hang over in his commandments.
8 Remember the fear of God, and be not angry with thy neighbour.
9 Remember the covenant of the most High, and overlook the ignorance
of thy neighbour.
10 Refrain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins:
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.
12 For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire burneth: and as man's
strength is, so shall his anger be, and according to his riches he shall increase his anger.
13 A hasty contention kindleth a fire: and a hasty quarrel sheddeth blood:
and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death.
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.
15 The whisperer and the double-tongued is accursed: for he hath troubled
many that were at peace.
16 The tongue of a third person hath disquieted many, and scattered them
from nation to nation.
17 It hath destroyed the strong cities of the rich, and hath overthrown
the houses of great men.
18 It hath cut in pieces the forces of people, and undone strong nations.
19 The tongue of a third person hath cast out valiant women, and deprived
them of their labours.
20 He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall he
have a friend in whom he may repose.
21 The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark: but the stroke of the tongue
will break the bones.
22 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have
perished by their own tongue.
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.
24 For its yoke is a yoke of iron: and its bands are bands of brass.
25 The death thereof is a most evil death: and hell is preferable to
it.
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.
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 Hedge in thy ears with horns, hear not a wicked tongue, and make doors
and bars to thy mouth.
29 Melt down thy gold and silver, and make a balance for thy words, and
a just bridle for thy mouth:
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.
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1: Deuteronomy xxxii. 35.; Matthew vi. 14.; Mark xi. 25.; Romans xii.
19.