Old Testament Lesson

Ecclesiasticus 19:4-17

⁴ He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.

⁵ Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned: but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.

⁶ He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.

⁷ Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse.

⁸ Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other mens lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not.

⁹ For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.

¹⁰ If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee.

¹¹ A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child.

¹² As an arrow that sticketh in a mans thigh, so is a word within a fools belly.

¹³ Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it: and if he have done it, that he do it no more.

¹⁴ Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said it: and if he have, that he speak it not again.

¹⁵ Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every tale.

¹⁶ There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart; and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?

¹⁷ Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him; and not being angry, give place to the law of the most High.

The Word of the Lord.