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swer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words! there is more hope of a fool than of him. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. It is an honour for a man to cease from strife; but every fool will be meddling. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit, exalteth folly. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The discretion of a man deferreth his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

On Revenge.

Ecclesiasticus.

He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sin in remembrance. Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest. One man beareth hatred against another, and doth he seek pardon from the Lord? He sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like himself; and doth he ask

forgiveness of his own sins? If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will entreat for pardon of his sins? Remember thy end, and let enmity cease; remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments. Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbour: remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance. Bear not hatred to thy neighbour for every wrong; and do nothing at all by injurious practice.

Proverbs.

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth; and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth; if thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to

the man according to his work.

Say not thou, I

will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

On Slander, Swearing, &c.

Ecclesiasticus.

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. A backbiting tongue hath cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labours. Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly. The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh : but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue. Well is he that is defended from it, and hath not passed through the venom thereof; who hath not drawn the yoke thereof, nor hath been bound in her bands. For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass. dcath thereof is an evil death, the grave were better than it. It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof. 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. A good life

The

for ever.

hath but few days: but a good name endureth Accustom not thy mouth to swearing; neither use thyself to the naming of the Holy One. For as a servant that is continually beaten shall not be without a blue mark: so he that sweareth and nameth God continually shall not be faultless. Use not thy mouth to intemperate swearing, for therein is the word of sin.

Book of Wisdom.

The ear of jealousy heareth all things: and the noise of murmurings is not hid. Therefore be ware of murmuring, which is unprofitable, and refrain your tongue from backbiting; for there is no word so secret, that shall go for nought: and the mouth that belieth, slayeth the soul. Wisdom is a loving spirit: and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue. For the spirit of the Lord

filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice. Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be

hid: neither shall vengeance, when it punisheth, pass by him. For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly and the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord, for the manifestation of his wicked decds.

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On Riches.

Ecclesiasticus.

Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof driveth away sleep. Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaketh sleep. Gold hath been the ruin of many, and their destruction was present. It is a stumbling block unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith. Set not thy heart upon goods unjustly gotten, for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity. The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain. Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings. A rich man beginning to fall is held up of his

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