Sirach 19:13-17 Common English Bible (CEB)

13. Question a friend;perhaps he didn’t do it.And if he did, question himso he doesn’t do it again.

14. Question a neighbor;perhaps she didn’t say it.And if she did say it,question her so that she doesn’t repeat it.

15. Question a friend, because it oftenturns out to be a false accusation.Don’t trust everything that is said.

16. There are those who slip,and it wasn’t intentional.Who hasn’t sinned with the tongue?

17. Question your neighborbefore issuing a threat,and give the Law of the Most Highits place.

Sirach 19