Sirach 22:24
King James VersionSource notes
“As the vapour and smoke of a furnace goeth before the fire; so reviling before blood.”
Context
21Though thou drewest a sword at thy friend, yet despair not: for there may be a returning to favour.
22If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy friend, fear not; for there may be a reconciliation: except for upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for for these things every friend will depart.
23Be faithful to thy neighbour in his poverty, that thou mayest rejoice in his prosperity: abide stedfast unto him in the time of his trouble, that thou mayest be heir with him in his heritage: for a mean estate is not always to be contemned: nor the rich that is foolish to be had in admiration.
24As the vapour and smoke of a furnace goeth before the fire; so reviling before blood.
25I will not be ashamed to defend a friend; neither will I hide myself from him.
26And if any evil happen unto me by him, every one that heareth it will beware of him.
27Who shall set a watch before my mouth, and a seal of wisdom upon my lips, that I fall not suddenly by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?