Ben Sira 27:19-26
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
19 Like a bird released from your hand,
you have let your friend go and cannot recapture him.
20 Do not go after him, for he is far away,
and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare.
21 For a wound can be bandaged, and an insult forgiven,
but whoever betrays secrets does hopeless damage.(A)
Malice, Anger and Vengeance
22 Whoever has shifty eyes plots mischief
and those who know him will keep their distance;
23 In your presence he uses honeyed talk,
and admires your words,
But later he changes his tone
and twists the words to your ruin.(B)
24 I have hated many things but not as much as him,
and the Lord hates him as well.(C)
25 A stone falls back on the head of the one who throws it high,(D)
and a treacherous blow causes many wounds.
26 Whoever digs a pit falls into it,
and whoever lays a snare is caught in it.[a]
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