Sirach chapter 28
[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] Do not fight with other people. Be very careful about what you say.
The Book of Sirach is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches
DO NOT FIGHT WITH OTHER PEOPLE
VERSE 1. He that takes vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord; And he will surely make firm his sins.
He that takes vengeance. Many people are vengeful.
For a time, they will get away with it. But ultimately, they will face vengeance from the LORD God.
There is a law of “sowing and reaping” throughout the Bible. How shall we reconcile it with grace and mercy? Here are the verses we’ve found »
VERSE 2. Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he has done you; And then your sins will be pardoned when you pray.
Forgive your neighbor. We are to forgive one another.
then your sins will be pardoned. That is a teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ:
Matthew 6:14. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
VERSE 3. Man cherishes anger against man; And does he seek healing from the Lord?
VERSE 4. Upon a man like himself he has no mercy; And does he make supplication for his own sins?
VERSE 5. He being himself flesh nourishes wrath: Who will make atonement for his sins?
VERSE 6. Remember your last end, and cease from enmity: Remember corruption and death, and remain in the commandments.
VERSE 7. Remember the commandments, and be not angry with your neighbor; And remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.
VERSE 8. Abstain from strife, and you will diminish your sins: For a passionate man will kindle strife;
Abstain from strife. Much of human suffering is from strife.
We initiate conflict with one another. Then we suffer for it. Then we blame God for our suffering.
VERSE 9. And a man that is a sinner will trouble friends, And will make debate among those who are at peace.
VERSE 10. As is the fuel of the fire, so will it burn; And as the stoutness of the strife is, so will it burn: As is the strength of the man, so will be his wrath; And as is his wealth, so he will exalt his anger.
VERSE 11. A contention begun in haste kindles a fire; And a hasty fighting sheds blood.
BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU SAY
A great passage to read alongside this one is James 3:1-12. Speak with care.
VERSE 12. If you blow a spark, it will burn; And if you spit upon it, it will be quenched: And both these shall come out of your mouth.
If you blow on a spark it erupts into flame. Like the passions.
VERSE 13. Curse the whisperer and double-tongued: For he has destroyed many that were at peace.
The Bible calls us to use our words to uplift other people. However, many Christians use their words to tear down other people. They should say nothing. Read more »
VERSE 14. A third person’s tongue has shaken many, And dispersed them from nation to nation; And it has pulled down strong cities, And overthrown the houses of great men.
VERSE 15. A third person’s tongue has cast out brave women, And deprived them of their labors.
VERSE 16. He that listens to it will not find rest, Nor shall he dwell quietly.
VERSE 17. The stroke of a whip makes a mark in the flesh; But the stroke of a tongue will break bones.
the stroke of the tongue. Our words can do a lot of damage to others people.
Or our words can build other people up.
VERSE 18. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: Yet not so many as those who have fallen because of the tongue.
VERSE 19. Happy is he that is sheltered from it, That has not passed through the wrath thereof; That has not drawn its yoke, And has not been bound with its bands.
VERSE 20. For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, And the bands thereof are bands of brass.
VERSE 21. The death thereof is an evil death; And Hades were better than it.
VERSE 22. It shall not have rule over godly men; And they shall not be burned in its flame.
VERSE 23. They that forsake the Lord shall fall into it; And it shall burn among them, and shall not be quenched: It shall be sent forth upon them as a lion; And as a leopard it shall destroy them.
VERSE 24. Look that you hedge your possession about with thorns; Bind up your silver and your gold;
VERSE 25. And make a balance and a weight for your words; And make a door and a bar for your mouth.
VERSE 26. Take heed lest you slip therein; Lest you fall before one that lies in wait.
Take heed lest you slip therein. It is very easy to inadvertently say words that damage other people.
SIRACH
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Chronology
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.