Sirach
29:1 He that is merciful will lend unto his neighbour; and he that
strengtheneth his hand keepeth the commandments.
29:2 Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour
again in due season.
29:3 Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him, and thou shalt always find
the thing that is necessary for thee.
29:4 Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them
to trouble that helped them.
29:5 Till he hath received, he will kiss a man's hand; and for his
neighbour's money he will speak submissly: but when he should repay, he
will prolong the time, and return words of grief, and complain of the
time.
29:6 If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half, and he will count as if
he had found it: if not, he hath deprived him of his money, and he hath
gotten him an enemy without cause: he payeth him with cursings and
railings; and for honour he will pay him disgrace.
29:7 Many therefore have refused to lend for other men's ill dealing, fearing
to be defrauded.
29:8 Yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to shew
him mercy.
29:9 Help the poor for the commandment's sake, and turn him not away because
of his poverty.
29:10 Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend, and let it not rust under
a stone to be lost.
29:11 Lay up thy treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and
it shall bring thee more profit than gold.
29:12 Shut up alms in thy storehouses: and it shall deliver thee from all
affliction.
29:13 It shall fight for thee against thine enemies better than a mighty
shield and strong spear.
29:14 An honest man is surety for his neighbour: but he that is impudent will
forsake him.
29:15 Forget not the friendship of thy surety, for he hath given his life for
thee.
29:16 A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety:
29:17 And he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him [in danger] that
delivered him.
29:18 Suretiship hath undone many of good estate, and shaken them as a wave of
the sea: mighty men hath it driven from their houses, so that they
wandered among strange nations.
29:19 A wicked man transgressing the commandments of the Lord shall fall into
suretiship: and he that undertaketh and followeth other men's business
for gain shall fall into suits.
29:20 Help thy neighbour according to thy power, and beware that thou thyself
fall not into the same.
29:21 The chief thing for life is water, and bread, and clothing, and an house
to cover shame.
29:22 Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage, than delicate fare
in another man's house.
29:23 Be it little or much, hold thee contented, that thou hear not the
reproach of thy house.
29:24 For it is a miserable life to go from house to house: for where thou art
a stranger, thou darest not open thy mouth.
29:25 Thou shalt entertain, and feast, and have no thanks: moreover thou shalt
hear bitter words:
29:26 Come, thou stranger, and furnish a table, and feed me of that thou hast
ready.
29:27 Give place, thou stranger, to an honourable man; my brother cometh to be
lodged, and I have need of mine house.
29:28 These things are grievous to a man of understanding; the upbraiding of
houseroom, and reproaching of the lender.
