“He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.”
Sins. To seek revenge out of rancour, or contrary to justice, is a grievous sin. (Worthington) — Retaliation was tolerated, (Exodus xxi. 24.) but love was not to be laid aside, Deuteronomy xxxiii. 35., Leviticus xxi. 17., Psalm vii. 5., and Matthew vii. 2.
“Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest.”
Forgive. This charity enforces, when the offender is penitent, if the remission of punishment be not contrary to justice and discipline. (Worthington) — Matthew vi. 12., and xviii. 32., and Luke vi. 37. We all stand in need of pardon. (Calmet)
“If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his sins?”
And doth. Greek, “who will expiate his sins?” Is God bound to receive his victims or prayers while he entertains such dispositions? (Calmet)
“Remember the commandments, and bear no malice to thy neighbour: remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.”
In his commandments. Supply the sentence out of the Greek thus: Remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments, (Challoner) which condemn revenge, Exodus xxiii. 4. (Calmet) — Complutensian, “and do not rage or menace thy neighbour with destruction and death; yea, stick to the commandments. Be mindful of the precepts, and be not angry with thy neighbour; and of the covenant,” &c., ver. 9. (Haydock)
“A sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among them that be at peace.”
Ignorance. He uses a softer term. In effect, most quarrels proceed from a misunderstanding. “Every sinner is ignorant.”
“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.”
Burneth. The more fuel, the greater will be the blaze.
“Curse the whisperer and doubletongued: for such have destroyed many that were at peace.”
And a, &c., is not in Greek. Proverbs xix. 12., and xxvi. 21.
“Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly.”
Third. Who carries stories between friends, to set them at variance. (Calmet)
“Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue.”
It, &c., is omitted in Greek. (Haydock) — Indiscreet reports often cause dissensions. (Worthington)
“Well is he that is defended through the venom thereof; who hath not drawn the yoke thereof, nor hath been bound in her bands.”
Labours. Causing their husbands to suspect them.
“It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.”
Their own. Greek, “the.” Detraction separates many friends. (Calmet)
“And weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth.”
Hell. Or rather “the grave.”
“Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait.”
Its. Greek, “it shall not take hold of the pious, and they shall not,” &c. (Haydock) — Their virtue shall quickly shine forth. (Calmet)
Hear. Greek, “lo, hedge in thy possessions with thorns: bind up thy silver and gold.” (Haydock) — To pay attention to detraction is as bad as to utter it. (Worthington)
Just. Greek, “a door and bolt,” &c., as [in] ver. 28. If people guard their property with so much care, why do they make light of words? (Haydock) — These ought to be weighed with more attention than money, and we ought to spare no pains or expense on this head. (Calmet)
Tongue. Greek, “by them, lest thou fall before him who lays snares,” chap. xxix. (Haydock)