Sirach 29 — WEBBE
29Verse 1He who shows mercy will lend to his neighbour.He who strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments.Verse 2Lend to your neighbour in time of his need.Repay your neighbour on time.Verse 3Confirm your word, and keep faith with him;and at all seasons you will find what you need.Verse 4Many have considered a loan to be a windfall,and have given trouble to those who helped them.Verse 5Until he has received, he will kiss a man’s hands.For his neighbour’s money he will speak submissively.Then when payment is due, he will prolong the time,return excuses, and complain about the season.Verse 6If 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 honour, he will pay him disgrace.Verse 7Many on account of fraud have turned away.They are afraid of being defrauded for nothing.Verse 8However be patient with a man in poor estate.Don’t keep him waiting for your alms.Verse 9Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake.According to his need don’t send him empty away.Verse 10Lose your money for a brother and a friend.Don’t let it rust under a stone and be lost.Verse 11Allocate your treasure according to the commandments of the Most Highand it will profit you more than gold.Verse 12Store up almsgiving in your store-chambersand it will deliver you out of all affliction.Verse 13It will fight for you against your enemybetter than a mighty shield and a ponderous spear.Verse 14A good man will be surety for his neighbour.He who has lost shame will fail him.Verse 15Don’t forget the kindness of your guarantor,for he has given his life for you.Verse 16A sinner will waste the property of his guarantor.Verse 17He who is thankless will fail him who delivered him.Verse 18Being surety has undone many who were prosperingand shaken them as a wave of the sea.It has driven mighty men from their homes.They wandered amongst foreign nations.Verse 19A sinner who falls into suretiship and undertakes contracts for workwill fall into lawsuits.Verse 20Help your neighbour according to your power,and be careful not to fall yourself.Verse 21The essentials of life are water, bread,a garment, and a house for privacy.Verse 22Better is the life of a poor man under a shelter of logsthan sumptuous fare in another man’s house.Verse 23With little or with much, be well satisfied.+
Verse 24It is a miserable life to go from house to house.Where you are a guest, you dare not open your mouth.Verse 25You will entertain, serve drinks, and have no thanks.In addition to this, you will hear bitter words.Verse 26“Come here, you sojourner, set a table,and if you have anything in your hand, feed me with it.”Verse 27“Leave, you sojourner, for an honoured guest is here.My brother has come to be my guest. I need my house.”Verse 28These things are grievous to a man of understanding:The scolding about lodging and the insults of creditors.
Verse 24It is a miserable life to go from house to house.Where you are a guest, you dare not open your mouth.Verse 25You will entertain, serve drinks, and have no thanks.In addition to this, you will hear bitter words.Verse 26“Come here, you sojourner, set a table,and if you have anything in your hand, feed me with it.”Verse 27“Leave, you sojourner, for an honoured guest is here.My brother has come to be my guest. I need my house.”Verse 28These things are grievous to a man of understanding:The scolding about lodging and the insults of creditors.