Sirach · Catholic Public Domain Version
Sirach 28 Catholic Public Domain Version
Notes on this text (3)
- Esther and Daniel are the Vulgate books (Esther 1–16 with the Greek additions as chapters 10:4–16; Daniel 1–14 with the Song of the Three, Susanna and Bel). Baruch 6 is the Letter of Jeremiah.
- The translator's footnotes, cross-references, chapter summaries and book introductions in the CrossWire module are not shown.
- No imprimatur; single translator.
Sirach is not in RV1909.
CPDV Catholic Public Domain Version
RV1909 Reina-Valera 1909
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
1 Whoever wishes for vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely be attentive to his sins.
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1 He who takes vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely make his sins firm.
2 Forgive your neighbor, if he has harmed you, and then your sins will be forgiven you when you pray.
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2 Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.
3 A man holds on to anger against another man, and does he then seek a remedy from God?
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3 Does anyone harbor anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?
4 He has no mercy on a man like himself, and does he then entreat for his own sins?
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4 Upon a man like himself he has no mercy, and does he make supplication for his own sins?
5 He who is but flesh holds on to anger, and does he then request forgiveness from God? Who can obtain pardon for his sins in this way?
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5 He himself, being flesh, nourishes wrath. Who will make atonement for his sins?
6 Remember your very end, and let animosities cease.
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6 Remember your last end, and stop enmity. Remember corruption and death, and be true to the commandments.
7 For corruption and death are suspended over his commandments.
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7 Remember the commandments, and don’t be angry with your neighbor. Remember the covenant of the Highest, and overlook ignorance.
8 Remember the fear of God, and do not be angry with your neighbor.
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8 Abstain from strife, and you will diminish your sins, for a passionate man will kindle strife.
9 Remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the ignorant offenses of your neighbor.
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9 A man who is a sinner will trouble friends and sow discord among those who are at peace.
10 Refrain from strife, and you will diminish your sins.
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10 As is the fuel of the fire, so it will burn; and as the stoutness of the strife is, so it will burn. As is the strength of the man, so will be his wrath; and as is his wealth, so he will exalt his anger.
11 For an ill-tempered man enflames conflict, and a sinful man troubles his friends, and he casts hostility into the midst of those who have peace.
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11 A contention begun in haste kindles a fire; and hasty fighting sheds blood.
12 For the fire burns according to the wood of the forest. And the anger of a man burns according to the strength of the man. And according to his resources, he will exalt his anger.
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12 If you blow on a spark, it will burn; and if you spit upon it, it will be quenched. Both of these come out of your mouth.
13 A hasty contention kindles a fire. And a hasty quarrel sheds blood. And an accusatory tongue brings death.
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13 Curse the whisperer and double-tongued, for he has destroyed many who were at peace.
14 If you blow on a spark, it will increase to a fire. But if you spit on it, it will be extinguished. Both of these proceed from the mouth.
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14 A slanderer has shaken many, and dispersed them from nation to nation. It has pulled down strong cities and overthrown the houses of great men.
15 The double-tongued whisperer is accursed. For he has disturbed many who had peace.
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15 A slanderer has cast out brave women and deprived them of their labors.
16 A third tongue has stirred up many, and has scattered them from nation to nation.
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16 He who listens to it will not find rest, nor will he live quietly.
17 It has destroyed the walled cities of the wealthy, and has undermined the houses of the great.
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17 The stroke of a whip makes a mark in the flesh, but the stroke of a tongue will break bones.
18 It has cut down the virtues of the peoples, and has broken strong nations.
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18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, yet not so many as those who have fallen because of the tongue.
19 A third tongue has cast down virtuous women, and has deprived them of their labors.
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19 Happy is he who is sheltered from it, who has not passed through its wrath, who has not drawn its yoke, and has not been bound with its bands.
20 Whoever favors it will not have rest, nor will he have a friend in whom he may find peace.
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20 For its yoke is a yoke of iron, and its bands are bands of brass.
21 The wound of a whip causes a bruise, but the wound of the tongue will crush the bones.
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21 Its death is an evil death, and Hades is better than it.
22 Many have fallen by the mouth of the sword, but not as many as have perished by their own tongue.
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22 It will not have rule over godly men. They will not be burned in its flame.
23 Blessed is he who is protected from a wicked tongue, who has not gone over to its wrath, and has not pulled its yoke, and has not been bound by its chains.
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23 Those who forsake the Lord will fall into it. It will burn among them, and won’t be quenched. It will be sent against them like a lion. It will destroy them like a leopard.
24 For its yoke is a yoke of iron. And its chains are chains of brass.
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24 As you hedge your possession about with thorns, and secure your silver and your gold,
25 Its death is a most wicked death. And hell is more useful than it is.
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25 so make a balance and a weight for your words, and make a door and a bar for your mouth.
26 Its continuance will not be permanent, but it will take hold of the ways of the unjust. And the just will not be burned by its flame.
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26 Take heed lest you slip with it, lest you fall before one who lies in wait.
27 Those who abandon God will fall by it, and it will burn within them and not be quenched. And it will be sent upon them, like a lion, and it will wound them, like a leopard.
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27 Not in this translation
28 Hedge your ears with thorns. Do not be willing to listen to a wicked tongue. And make doors and bars for your mouth.
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28 Not in this translation
29 Melt down your gold and your silver. And make a scale for your words, and an upright bridle for your mouth.
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29 Not in this translation
30 And be attentive, lest perhaps you may slip with your tongue, and fall in the sight of your enemies, who are lying in wait for you, and then your fall may be incurable unto death.
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30 Not in this translation
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
One man keepeth anger against another, and doth he seek healing of God?" "And yet He allowed, eye for eye,' and tooth for tooth,' how then doth He find fault?" Because He allowed even those things, not that we should do them one to another, but that through the fear of suffering, we might abstain from the commission of crime.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)