Sir.28

[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.

Sir.29

[1] He that is merciful will lend unto his neighbour; and he that strengtheneth his hand keepeth the commandments.
[2] Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour again in due season.
[3] Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him, and thou shalt always find the thing that is necessary for thee.
[4] Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them.
[5] Till he hath received, he will kiss a man's hand; and for his neighbour's money he will speak submissly: but when he should repay, he will prolong the time, and return words of grief, and complain of the time.
[6] If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half, and he will count as if he had found it: if not, he hath deprived him of his money, and he hath gotten him an enemy without cause: he payeth him with cursings and railings; and for honour he will pay him disgrace.
[7] Many therefore have refused to lend for other men's ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded.
[8] Yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to shew him mercy.
[9] Help the poor for the commandment's sake, and turn him not away because of his poverty.
[10] Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend, and let it not rust under a stone to be lost.
[11] Lay up thy treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold.
[12] Shut up alms in thy storehouses: and it shall deliver thee from all affliction.
[13] It shall fight for thee against thine enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear.
[14] An honest man is surety for his neighbour: but he that is impudent will forsake him.
[15] Forget not the friendship of thy surety, for he hath given his life for thee.
[16] A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety:
[17] And he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him [in danger] that delivered him.
[18] Suretiship hath undone many of good estate, and shaken them as a wave of the sea: mighty men hath it driven from their houses, so that they wandered among strange nations.
[19] A wicked man transgressing the commandments of the Lord shall fall into suretiship: and he that undertaketh and followeth other men's business for gain shall fall into suits.
[20] Help thy neighbour according to thy power, and beware that thou thyself fall not into the same.
[21] The chief thing for life is water, and bread, and clothing, and an house to cover shame.
[22]