Loans and Gifts
Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 1. He who shows mercy will lend to his neighbor, And he who makes him strong with a helping hand Keeps the commandments. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 2. Lend to your neighbor in the time of his need, And when you borrow, repay your neighbor on time. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 3. Keep your word and be trustworthy with him, And on every occasion you will find what you need. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 4. Many men, supposing a loan is like a windfall, Cause trouble to those who help them. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 5. He will kiss the lender's hand until he receives the loan, And to get his neighbor's money he will lower his voice; But at the time of repayment, he will put it off, And repay only with words of indifference, And blame the times. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 6. If the lender is firm with him, he will barely get back half the loan, And will consider it as a windfall. If the borrower does not repay anything, He has robbed him of his money, And needlessly made him an enemy. The lender will then repay him with curses and insults, And dishonor instead of glory. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 7. Many men, not because they are evil, Have refused to lend; They have become afraid of being needlessly robbed. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 8. However, be patient with a man of humble circumstances, And do not keep him waiting for your alms. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 9. Because of the commandment, help a poor man, And in his need, do not turn him away empty. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 10. Lose your money for the sake of a brother and friend; Do not let it rust under a stone and be lost. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 11. Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, For this will profit you more than gold. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 12. Store alms in your storerooms, And they will deliver you from all affliction. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 13. More than a mighty shield and better than a strong spear Almsgiving will fight for you against your enemy. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 14. A good man will go surety for his neighbor, But a man who has lost his sense of shame will forsake him. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 15. Do not forget the kindness his surety has done for you, For he has given his life for you. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 16. A sinner will overthrow the good things of his surety, And the ungrateful man will forsake his deliverer on purpose. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 17. Suretyship has destroyed many prosperous men And tossed them about like waves of the sea. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 18. Suretyship has driven influential men from their homes, And they have wandered among foreign nations. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 19. The sinner who chances upon suretyship And the man who pursues profit-taking will fall into judgment. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 20. Help your neighbor according to your ability, But watch out for yourself lest you fall. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 21. The principle of life is water, bread, and clothing, And a house that offers privacy. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 22. The life of a poor man under a shelter of logs Is better than great food in another man's house. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 23. Be content with little or much, And you will not hear your guest insulted. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 24. Going from house to house is a bad way to live, And where you are visiting, you dare not open your mouth. Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 25. You will entertain guests and give drink to the ungrateful, And besides this you will hear bitter words: Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 26. “Come here, stranger; set the table, And if you have any food at hand, feed me.” Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 27. “Get out, stranger, somebody more important is here; My brother has come as my guest; I need my house.” Wisdom of Sirach 29, verse 28. These things are hard for a sensible man to take: The rebuke of a household and the abuse of a creditor.