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.
CHAP. XXIX.
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.
