1He that takes vengeance will suffer vengeance from the Lord,

and he will firmly establish28.1 Other authorities read closely observe his sins.

2Forgive your neighbour the wrong he has done,

and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.

3Does a man harbour anger against another,

and yet seek for healing from the Lord?

4Does he have no mercy toward a man like himself,

and yet pray for his own sins?

5If he himself, being flesh, maintains wrath,

who will make expiation for his sins?

6Remember the end of your life, and cease from enmity,

remember destruction and death, and be true to the commandments.

7Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbour;

remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook ignorance.

8Refrain from strife, and you will lessen sins;

for a man given to anger will kindle strife,

9and a sinful man will disturb friends

and inject enmity among those who are at peace.

10In proportion to the fuel for the fire, so will be the burning,

and in proportion to the obstinacy of strife will be the burning;28.10 Other authorities place this line at the end of the verse, or omit it

in proportion to the strength of the man will be his anger,

and in proportion to his wealth he will heighten his wrath.

11A hasty quarrel kindles fire,

and urgent strife sheds blood.

12If you blow on a spark, it will glow;

if you spit on it, it will be put out;

and both come out of your mouth.

13Curse the whisperer and deceiver,

for he has destroyed many who were at peace.

14Slander28.14 Gk a third tongue has shaken many,

and scattered them from nation to nation,

and destroyed strong cities,

and overturned the houses of great men.

15Slander28.15 Gk a third tongue has driven away courageous women,

and deprived them of the fruit of their toil.

16Whoever pays heed to slander28.16 Gk it will not find rest,

nor will he settle down in peace.

17The blow of a whip raises a welt,

but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.

18Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,

but not so many as have fallen because of the tongue.

19Happy is the man who is protected from it,

who has not been exposed to its anger,

who has not borne its yoke,

and has not been bound with its fetters;

20for its yoke is a yoke of iron,

and its fetters are fetters of bronze;

21its death is an evil death,

and Hades is preferable to it.

22It will not be master over the godly,

and they will not be burned in its flame.

23Those who forsake the Lord will fall into its power;

it will burn among them and will not be put out.

It will be sent out against them like a lion;

like a leopard it will mangle them.

24See that you fence in your property with thorns,

lock up your silver and gold,

25make balances and scales for your words,

and make a door and a bolt for your mouth.

26Beware lest you err with your tongue,28.26 Gk with it

lest you fall before him who lies in wait.