Ben Sira 28:5-15

5 If a mere mortal harbors wrath, who will make an atoning sacrifice for his sins?
6 Remember the end of your life, and set enmity aside; remember corruption and death, and be true to the commandments.
7 Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook faults.
8 Refrain from strife, and your sins will be fewer; for the hot-tempered kindle strife,
9 and the sinner disrupts friendships and sows discord among those who are at peace.
10 In proportion to the fuel, so will the fire burn, and in proportion to the obstinacy, so will strife increase; in proportion to a person's strength will be his anger, and in proportion to his wealth he will increase his wrath.
11 A hasty quarrel kindles a fire, and a hasty dispute sheds blood.
12 If you blow on a spark, it will glow; if you spit on it, it will be put out; yet both come out of your mouth.
13 Curse the gossips and the double-tongued, for they destroy the peace of many.
14 Slander has shaken many, and scattered them from nation to nation; it has destroyed strong cities, and overturned the houses of the great.
15 Slander has driven virtuous women from their homes, and deprived them of the fruit of their toil.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Other ancient authorities read [burn]
  • [b]. Gk [A third tongue]
  • [c]. Gk [A third tongue]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.