Open English Translation SIR Chapter 28

8 Abstain from strife, and you’ll diminish your sins,

for a passionate man will kindle strife.

9 A man who’s a sinner will trouble friends

and sow discord among those who are at peace.

10 As is the fuel of the fire, so it’ll burn;

and as the stoutness of the strife is, so it’ll burn.

As is the man’s strength, so will be his anger;

and as is his wealth, so he’ll exalt his anger.

11 A contention begun in haste kindles a fire;

and hasty fighting sheds blood.

12 If you blow on a spark, it’ll burn;

and if you spit on it, it’ll be quenched.

Both of these come out of your mouth.

13 Curse the whisperer and double-tongued,

for he’s destroyed many who were at peace.

14 A slanderer has shaken many,

and dispersed them from nation to nation.

It’s pulled down strong cities

and overthrown great men’s houses.

15 A slanderer has thrown out brave women

and deprived them of their labours.

16 He who listens to it won’t 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’ve fallen because of the tongue.

19 Happy is he who’s sheltered from it,

who hasn’t passed through its anger,

who hasn’t drawn its yoke,

and hasn’t been bound with its bands.

20 Because its yoke is a yoke of iron,

and its bands are bands of brass.

21 Its death is an evil death,

and Haidais is better than it.

22 It won’t have rule over godly men.

They won’t be burnt in its flame.

23 Those who forsake the master will fall into it.

It’ll burn among them, and won’t be quenched.

It’ll be sent against them like a lion.

It’ll destroy them like a leopard.

24 As you hedge your possession about with thorns,

and secure your silver and your gold,

25 so make a balance and a weight for your words,

and make a door and a bar for your mouth.

26 Be careful not to slip with it,

or you might fall before someone lying in wait.