Forgiveness From the Heart

1 “Now, my children, I urge you: let each of you love his brother, put away hatred from your hearts, and love one another in what you do, in what you say, and in the attitude of your soul. 2 In my father’s presence I spoke peaceably to Joseph, but once I had gone out, the spirit of hatred darkened my mind and stirred up my soul to kill him.

3 “So love one another from the heart. And if someone sins against you, cast out the poison of hatred and speak peaceably to him, holding no dishonesty in your soul. And if he confesses and repents, forgive him.

4 “But if he denies it, do not lose your temper with him, or he may catch the poison from you, resort to cursing, and so you sin twice over.

5 “Do not let another man hear your private words during a dispute, or he may come to hate you and become your enemy and commit a great sin against you, for often he speaks to you deceitfully or meddles in your affairs with wicked intent. And if he denies it but shows shame when rebuked, stop rebuking him. 6 For the one who denies it may repent and not wrong you again. He may even honor you, respect you, and be at peace with you. And if he is shameless and persists in his wrongdoing, even then forgive him from the heart, and leave the vengeance to God.”⁠a