rumors

¹“You shall not accept a lying voice. Neither shall you join your hand so as to give false testimony on behalf of the impious.

²⁰When the wood fails, the fire will be extinguished. And when the gossiper is taken away, conflicts will be quelled.

¹³Whoever walks dishonestly reveals secrets. But whoever is of a faithful soul conceals what is confided by a friend. ¹⁴Where there is no governor, the people shall fall. But where there is much counsel, well-being shall be.

²³But avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, for you know that these produce strife.

¹Where do wars and contentions among you come from? Is it not from this: from your own desires, which battle within your members? ²You desire, and you do not have. You envy and you kill, and you are unable to obtain. You argue and you fight, and you do not have, because you do not ask.

³For so we put bridles into the mouths of horses, in order to submit them to our will, and so we turn their whole body around. ⁴Consider also the ships, which, though they are great and may be driven by strong winds, yet they are turned around with a small rudder, to be directed to wherever the strength of the pilot might will. ⁵So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest. ⁶And so the tongue is like a fire, comprising all iniquity. The tongue, stationed in the midst of our body, can defile the entire body and inflame the wheel of our nativity, setting a fire from Hell. ⁷For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature. ⁸But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

¹⁵It is gladness for the just to do judgment; and it is dread for those who work iniquity.

¹⁵The innocent trust every word. The astute one considers his own steps. Nothing good will be for the deceitful son. But the wise servant shall act prosperously and his way will be set in order.

¹²Therefore, all things whatsoever that you wish that men would do to you, do so also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.

¹⁹Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.

²to speak evil of no one, not to be litigious, but to be reserved, displaying all meekness toward all men. ³For, in times past, we ourselves were also unwise, unbelieving, erring, servants of various desires and pleasures, acting with malice and envy, being hateful and hating one another. ⁴But then the kindness and humanity of God our Savior appeared. ⁵And he saved us, not by works of justice that we had done, but, in accord with his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and by the renovation of the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom he has poured out upon us in abundance, through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

¹“You shall not accept a lying voice. Neither shall you join your hand so as to give false testimony on behalf of the impious. ²You shall not follow the crowd in doing evil. Neither shall you go astray in judgment, by agreeing with the majority opinion, apart from the truth. ³Likewise, you shall not show pity in judgment of the poor. ⁴If you come across an ox or a donkey of your enemy, which has gone astray, lead it back to him. ⁵If you see the donkey of one who hates you, fallen under its burden, you shall not pass by without lifting it up with him. ⁶You shall not deviate in judgment of the poor.

¹¹to choose work that allows you to be tranquil, and to carry out your business and to do your work with your own hands, just as we have instructed you,

¹⁷The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.

¹³Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.