Forgiveness and Restraint

1 He who takes vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in mind.⁠a 2 Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.⁠b 3 Does anyone harbor anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?⁠c 4 He has no mercy on a man like himself, yet does he pray for his own sins?⁠d 5 He himself, being flesh, nourishes anger. Who will make atonement for his sins? 6 Remember the end of your life, and put an end to hostility. Remember decay and death, and be true to the commandments. 7 Remember the commandments, and don’t be angry with your neighbor. Remember the covenant of the Highest, and overlook ignorance.

The Fire of Quarrels

8 Stay away from quarrels, and you will reduce your sins, for a hot-tempered man will ignite quarrels. 9 A man who is a sinner will trouble friends and sow discord among those who are at peace. 10 A fire burns according to its fuel, and a quarrel burns according to its intensity. A man’s anger matches his strength, and he increases his anger according to his wealth. 11 A quarrel begun in haste ignites a fire, and hasty fighting sheds blood. 12 If you blow on a spark, it will burn, and if you spit on it, it will be put out. Both of these come out of your mouth.⁠e

The Damage of Slander

13 Curse the gossip and the person who speaks with two tongues, for he has destroyed many who were at peace.⁠f 14 A slanderer has shaken many, and dispersed them from nation to nation. It has pulled down strong cities and overthrown the houses of important men. 15 A slanderer has driven out brave women and deprived them of their labors. 16 He who listens to it will not find rest, nor will he live quietly. 17 The stroke of a whip makes a mark in the flesh, but the stroke of a tongue will break bones.

18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, yet not so many as those who have fallen because of the tongue. 19 Happy is he who is sheltered from it, who has not passed through its fury, who has not drawn its yoke, and has not been bound with its bands. 20 For its yoke is a yoke of iron, and its bands are bands of brass. 21 The death it causes is an evil death, and Hades is better than it. 22 It will not have power over godly men. They will not be burned in its flame. 23 Those who abandon the Lord will fall into it. It will burn among them, and won’t be put out. It will be sent against them like a lion. It will destroy them like a leopard.

Guarding the Mouth

24 As you surround your possessions with a thorn hedge, and secure your silver and your gold,⁠g 25 so make a set of scales and a weight for your words, and make a door and a bar for your mouth. 26 Be careful not to slip with it, so that you do not fall before one who lies in wait.