CHAP. XXVIII.
1 We ought not to desire vengeance, but to forgiue the of∣fence. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Of the vices of the tongue, and of the dangers thereof.
1 HE* that seketh vengeance, shall finde* 1.1 vengeance of the Lord, and he wil sure∣ly* 1.2 kepe his sinnes.
2 () 1.3 Forgiue thy neyghbour the hurt that he hathe done to thee, so shal thy sinnes be for∣giuen thee also, when thou praiest.
3 Shulde a man beare hatred against man, and* 1.4 * desire forgiuenes of the Lord?
4 He wil shewe no mercie to a man, whiche is like him self: and will he aske forgiuenes of his owne sinnes?
5 If he that is but flesh, nourishe hatred, [and aske pardone of God,] who wil intreate for his sinnes?
6 Remembre the end, and let enimitie passe: imagine not death and destruction to ano∣ther through angre, but perseuere in the cō mandements.
7 Remember the commandements: so shalt thou not be rigorous against thy neighbour: [consider diligently] the couenant of thy most High, and forgiue his ignorance.
8 *〈◊〉〈◊〉 of strife, and thou shalt make thy* 1.5 sinnes fewer: for an āgrie mākindleth strife.
9 And the sinfull man disquieteth friends, and bryngeth in false accusations among them that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at peace.
10 *As the matter of the fyre is, so it burneth* 1.6 and mans angre is accordyng to his power: and according to his riches his angre increa seth, and the more vehement the angre is, the more is he in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
11 An hastie braulyng kindleth a fyre, and an hastie fighting 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blood: [a tōgue that beareth false witnes, bringeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉.]
12 If thou blowe the sparke, it shall burne: if thou spit vpon it, it shal be quenched, and bothe these come out of the mouth.
13 () 1.7 * Abhorre the sclanderer and double ton∣gued: for suche haue destroyed many that were at peace.
14 The double tongue hathe disquieted ma∣nie, and driuen them from nacion to nacion: strong cities hathe it broken downe, and ouerthrowen the houses of great men: [the strength of the people hathe it broght dow∣ne, and bene the decaye of mightie naciōs.]
15 The double tongue hathe caste out manie vertuous women, and robbed them of their labours.
16 Who so hearkeneth vnto it, shal neuer finde rest, and neuer dwell quietly.
17 The stroke of the rodde maketh markes in the flesh, but the stroke of the tongue brea∣keth the bones.
18 There be manie that haue perished by the edge of the sworde, but not so manie as ha∣ue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the tongue.
19 Wel is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that is kept from an euil ton∣gue, and cometh not in the angre thereof, which hath not drawen in that yoke, nether hathe bene bounde in the bandes thereof.
20 For the yoke thereof is a yoke of yron, and the bands of it are bands of brasse.
21 The death ther of is an euil death: hell were better then suche one.
22 It shall not haue rule ouer them that feare God, nether shall they be burnt with the fla∣me thereof.
23 Suche as forsake the Lord, shal fall therein: and it shall burne them, and no man shalbe a∣ble to quenche it: it shal fall vpon them as a lyon, and deuoure them as a leopard.
24 Hedge thy possession with thornes, and make dores and barres for thy mouth.
25 Binde vp thy siluer and golde, and weigh thy wordes in a balance, and make a dore ād a barre, [and a sure bridle] for thy mouth.
26 Beware that thou slide not by it, and so fal before him that lieth in waite, [and thy fall be incurable, euen vnto death.]