The Word Am I

The Book of Jesus Sirach

Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 29 -

Of charity in lending money, and justice in repaying. Of alms, and of being surety.

1
He shows mercy who lends to his neighbor, for he keeps the commandments by strengthening him.(a)
2
Lend to your neighbor in his time of need, and receive it again from your neighbor in his time.
3
Keep your word, and act faithfully with him, and then you will find whatever you need in every time.
4
Many have treated a loan like found money, and they offered trouble to those who helped them.
5
Until they receive, they kiss the hands of the giver, and they humble their voice in promises.
6
But at the time of repayment, they will ask for more time, and they will speak annoying and complaining words, and they will make excuses for the time.
7
Then, if he is able to repay, he will turn away. He will pay barely one half, and he will consider it as if he had found it.
8
But if not, then he will defraud him of his money, and he will have him as an enemy without cause.
9
And he will repay him with accusations and curses, and he will repay him with contempt, instead of with honor and kindness.
10
Many have refused to lend, not because of wickedness, but because they were afraid to be defrauded without cause.
11
Yet truly, be more steadfast toward the humble, and you should not delay in acts of mercy toward them.
12
Assist the poor because of the commandment. And you should not send him away empty because of his dire need.
13
Lose your money to your brother and your friend. For you should not hide it under a stone to be lost.
14
Let your treasure be in the precepts of the Most High, and it will benefit you more than gold.
15
Store your alms in the hearts of the poor, and it will obtain help for you against all evil.
16
Better than the shield or the lance of a powerful man,
17
it will fight for you against your enemy.
18
A good man offers credit for the sake of his neighbor. But one who abandons him to himself will perish in shame.
19
You should not forget the kindness of your benefactor. For he has offered his life on your behalf.
20
The sinner and the unclean flee from such promises.
21
A sinner attributes to himself the goods of his loan. And an ungrateful mind will abandon the one who has freed him.
22
A man offers credit to his neighbor. But when he will have lost respect, he will abandon him.
23
A wicked promise has destroyed many who had good intentions, and has tossed them like a wave on the ocean.
24
It has caused powerful men to travel around, and they have wandered amid foreign nations.
25
A sinner transgressing the commandment of the Lord will fall into a wicked promise. And he who undertakes many things will fall into judgment.
26
Help your neighbor to recover according to your ability, but attend to yourself, lest you also fall.
27
The primary need in a man’s life is water and bread, and clothing, and a house to protect modesty.
28
A pauper’s food under a roof of boards is better than a splendid feast on a sojourn away from home.
29
Let yourself be pleased with little instead of much, and you will not hear the reproach of being away from home.
30
It is a wicked life to go from house to house as a guest. For wherever he is a guest, he will not act confidently, nor open his mouth.
31
He will entertain, and feed, and give drink to the ungrateful, and beyond this, he will listen to bitter words:
32
“Go, my guest, and set the table, and let others eat from what you have in your hand.”
33
“Depart from the honored face of my friends. For it has become necessary for my house to host my brother instead.”
34
These things are grievous to a man having understanding: to take advantage of a household, and to reproach a lender.

Footnotes

(a)29:1 And he that is stronger in hand:That is, he that is hearty and bountiful in lending to his neighbour in his necessity.(Challoner)

Of charity in lending money, and justice in repaying. Of alms, and of being surety.

1
He who shows mercy will lend to his neighbor. He who strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments.
2
Lend to your neighbor in time of his need. Repay your neighbor on time.
3
Confirm your word, and keep faith with him; and at all seasons you will find what you need.
4
Many have considered a loan to be a windfall, and have given trouble to those who helped them.
5
Until he has received, he will kiss a man’s hands. For his neighbor’s money he will speak submissively. Then when payment is due, he will prolong the time, return excuses, and complain about the season.
6
If he prevails, the creditor will hardly receive half; and he will count it as a windfall. If not, he has deprived him of his money, and he has gotten him for an enemy without cause. He will pay him with cursing and railing. Instead of honor, he will pay him disgrace.
7
Many on account of fraud have turned away. They are afraid of being defrauded for nothing.
8
However be patient with a man in poor estate. Don’t keep him waiting for your alms.
9
Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake. According to his need don’t send him empty away.
10
Lose your money for a brother and a friend. Don’t let it rust under a stone and be lost.
11
Allocate your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High and it will profit you more than gold.
12
Store up almsgiving in your store-chambers and it will deliver you out of all affliction.
13
It will fight for you against your enemy better than a mighty shield and a ponderous spear.
14
A good man will be surety for his neighbor. He who has lost shame will fail him.
15
Don’t forget the kindness of your guarantor, for he has given his life for you.
16
A sinner will waste the property of his guarantor.
17
He who is thankless will fail him who delivered him.
18
Being surety has undone many who were prospering and shaken them as a wave of the sea. It has driven mighty men from their homes. They wandered among foreign nations.
19
A sinner who falls into suretiship and undertakes contracts for work will fall into lawsuits.
20
Help your neighbor according to your power, and be careful not to fall yourself.
21
The essentials of life are water, bread, a garment, and a house for privacy.
22
Better is the life of a poor man under a shelter of logs than sumptuous fare in another man’s house.
23
With little or with much, be well satisfied.(a)
24
It is a miserable life to go from house to house. Where you are a guest, you dare not open your mouth.
25
You will entertain, serve drinks, and have no thanks. In addition to this, you will hear bitter words.
26
“Come here, you sojourner, set a table, and if you have anything in your hand, feed me with it.”
27
“Leave, you sojourner, for an honored guest is here. My brother has come to be my guest. I need my house.”
28
These things are grievous to a man of understanding: The scolding about lodging and the insults of creditors.

Footnotes

(a)29:23 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.