New American Bible, Revised Edition

Ben Sira 28:1-18 New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)

1. The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance;indeed he remembers their sins in detail.

2. Forgive your neighbor the wrong done to you;then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.

3. Does anyone nourish anger against anotherand expect healing from the Lord?

4. Can one refuse mercy to a sinner like oneself,yet seek pardon for one’s own sins?

5. If a mere mortal cherishes wrath,who will forgive his sins?

6. Remember your last days and set enmity aside;remember death and decay, and cease from sin!

7. Remember the commandments and do not be angry with your neighbor;remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults.

8. Avoid strife and your sins will be fewer,for the hot-tempered kindle strife;

9. The sinner disrupts friendshipsand sows discord among those who are at peace.

10. The more the wood, the greater the fire,the more the cruelty, the fiercer the strife;The greater the strength, the sterner the anger,the greater the wealth, the greater the wrath.

11. Pitch and resin make fire flare up,and a hasty quarrel provokes bloodshed.

12. If you blow on a spark, it turns into flame,if you spit on it, it dies out;yet both you do with your mouth!

13. Cursed be gossips and the double-tongued,for they destroy the peace of many.

14. A meddlesome tongue subverts many,and makes them refugees among peoples.It destroys strong cities,and overthrows the houses of the great.

15. A meddlesome tongue drives virtuous women from their homes,and robs them of the fruit of their toil.

16. Whoever heed it will find no rest,nor will they dwell in peace.

17. A blow from a whip raises a welt,but a blow from the tongue will break bones.

18. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,but not as many as by the tongue.