Sirach 28:17–23

¹⁷The stroke of the whip maketh ^qmarks in the flesh:

But the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.

¹⁸Many have fallen by ^rthe edge of the sword:

But not so many as have fallen by the tongue.

¹⁹Well is he that is defended from it,

And hath not passed through the venom thereof;

Who hath not drawn the yoke thereof,

Nor hath been bound in her bands.

^20sFor the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron,

And the bands thereof are bands of brass.

²¹The death thereof is an evil death,

^tThe grave were better than it.

^22uIt shall not have rule over them that fear God,

Neither shall they be burnt with the flame thereof.

²³Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it;

And it shall burn in them, and not be quenched;

It shall be sent upon them as a lion,

And devour them as a ^vleopard.