He who returns
evil for good,
From his house evil shall not depart.
It is an honor for a
man to avoid strife;
Only a
fool is quarrelsome.
Charcoal for embers, and wood for fire,
And a quarrelsome man to
kindle strife!
Strive not with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
The beginning of
strife is as when one lets out water;
Therefore leave off strife before quarrelling begins.
Better a
dry crust with quietness
Than a house full of feasting with strife.
A just man regards the
life of his beast,
But the heart of the
wicked is cruel.
He who oppresses the poor reviles his Maker,
But he who has
pity on the
needy honors him.
He who listens not to the
cry of the poor,
He also shall call and not be answered.
He who pities the poor, lends to the Lord
And he will repay him for his good deed.
If your
enemy hungers, give him food;
If he thirsts, give him
water to drink;
For you will heap
coals of
fire on his head,
And the Lord will reward you.
Hatred stirs up strife,
But
love overlooks faults.
Better a meal of
herbs where love is,
Than a fatted
ox with hate.
Let not love and
truth leave you,
Bind them about your neck;
So you will enjoy favor and a good reputation
In the
sight of God and man.