Wisdom of Sirach 29
1He that is merciful will lend to his neighbor; and he that strengthens his hand keeps the commandments.
2Lend to your neighbor in time of his need, and pay you your neighbor again in due season.
3Keep your word, and deal faithfully with him, and you shall always find the thing that is necessary for you.
4Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them.
5Till he has received, he will kiss a man's hand; and for his neighbor'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.
6If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half, and he will count as if he had found it: if not, he has deprived him of his money, and he has gotten him an enemy without cause: he pays him with cursings and railings; and for honor he will pay him disgrace.
7Many therefore have refused to lend for other men's ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded.
8Yet have you patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to show him mercy.
9Help the poor for the commandment's sake, and turn him not away because of his poverty.
10Lose your money for your brother and your friend, and let it not rust under a stone to be lost.
11Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring you more profit than gold.
12Shut up alms in your storehouses: and it shall deliver you from all affliction.
13It shall fight for you against your enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear.
14An honest man is surety for his neighbor: but he that is impudent will forsake him.
15Forget not the friendship of your surety, for he has given his life for you.
16A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety:
17And he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him in danger that delivered him.
18Suretiship has undone many of good estate, and shaken them as a wave of the sea: mighty men has it driven from their houses, so that they wandered among strange nations.
19A wicked man transgressing the commandments of the Lord shall fall into suretiship: and he that undertakes and follows other men's business for gain shall fall into suits.
20Help your neighbor according to your power, and beware that you yourself fall not into the same.
21The chief thing for life is water, and bread, and clothing, and an house to cover shame.
22Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage, than delicate fare in another man's house.
23Be it little or much, hold you contented, that you hear not the reproach of your house.
24For it is a miserable life to go from house to house: for where you are a stranger, you dare not open your mouth.
25You shall entertain, and feast, and have no thanks: moreover you shall hear bitter words:
26Come, you stranger, and furnish a table, and feed me of that you have ready.
27Give place, you stranger, to an honorable man; my brother comes to be lodged, and I have need of mine house.
28These things are grievous to a man of understanding; the upbraiding of houseroom, and reproaching of the lender.
Commentaries for Wisdom of Sirach 29:0