[1]He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance. [2]Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest. [3]One man beareth hatred against another, and doth he seek pardon from the Lord? [4]He sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like himself: and doth he ask forgiveness of his own sins? [5]If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his sins? [6]Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments. [7]Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbour: remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance. [8]Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins: for a furious man will kindle strife, [9]A sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among them that be at peace. [10]As the matter of the fire is, so it burneth: and as a man's strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his riches his anger riseth; and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed. [11]An hasty contention kindleth a fire: and an hasty fighting sheddeth blood. [12]If thou blow the spark, it shall burn: if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of thy mouth. [13]Curse the whisperer and doubletongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace. [14]A backbiting tongue hath disquieted many, and driven them from nation to nation: strong cities hath it pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men. [15]A backbiting tongue hath cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labours. [16]Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly. [17]The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones. [18]Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue. [19]Well is he that is defended through the venom thereof; who hath not drawn the yoke thereof, nor hath been bound in her 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, the grave were better than it. [22]It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof. [23]Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it shall burn in them, and not be quenched; it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard. [24]Look that thou hedge thy possession about with thorns, and bind up thy silver and gold, [25]And weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth. [26]Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait.
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Author: Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton (1851)
Source: ecmarsh.com
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