| 29 | Ecclesiasticus | ||
| 1 | He that shows mercy will lend to his neighbour, and he that strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments. | Loans. Sir.29.1-7 | |
| 2 | Lend to your neighbour in the time of his need; and in turn, repay your neighbour promptly. | ||
| 3 | Confirm your word and keep faith with him, and on every occasion you will find what you need. | ||
| 4 | Many persons regard a loan as a windfall, and cause trouble to those who help them. | ||
| 5 | A man will kiss another's hands until he gets a loan, and will lower his voice in speaking of his neighbour's money; but at the time for repayment he will delay, and will pay in words of unconcern, and will find fault with the time. | ||
| 6 | If the lender exert pressure, he will hardly get back half, and will regard that as a windfall. If he does not, the borrower has robbed him of his money, and he has needlessly made him his enemy; he will repay him with curses and reproaches, and instead of glory will repay him with dishonour. | ||
| 7 | Because of such wickedness, therefore, many have refused to lend; they have been afraid of being defrauded needlessly. | ||
| 8 | Nevertheless, be patient with a man in humble circumstances, and do not make him wait for your alms. | Generosity. Sir.29.8-13 | |
| 9 | Help a poor man for the commandment's sake, and because of his need do not send him away empty. | ||
| 10 | Lose your silver for the sake of a brother or a friend, and do not let it rust under a stone and be lost. | ||
| 11 | Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, and it will profit you more than gold. | ||
| 12 | Store up almsgiving in your treasury, and it will rescue you from all affliction; | ||
| 13 | more than a mighty shield and more than a heavy spear, it will fight on your behalf against your enemy. | ||
| 14 | A good man will be surety for his neighbour, but a man who has lost his sense of shame will fail him. | Guarantees. Sir.29.14-20 | |
| 15 | Do not forget all the kindness of your surety, for he has given his life for you. | ||
| 16 | A sinner will overthrow the prosperity of his surety, | ||
| 17 | and one who does not feel grateful will abandon his rescuer. | ||
| 18 | Being surety has ruined many men who were prosperous, and has shaken them like a wave of the sea; it has driven men of power into exile, and they have wandered among foreign nations. | ||
| 19 | The sinner who has fallen into suretyship and pursues gain will fall into lawsuits. | ||
| 20 | Assist your neighbour according to your ability, but take heed to yourself lest you fall. | ||
| 21 | The essentials for life are water and bread and clothing and a house to cover one's nakedness. | Home & hospitality. Sir.29.21-28 | |
| 22 | Better is the life of a poor man under the shelter of his roof than sumptuous food in another man's house. | ||
| 23 | Be content with little or much. | ||
| 24 | It is a miserable life to go from house to house, and where you are a stranger you may not open your mouth; | ||
| 25 | you will play the host and provide drink without being thanked, and besides this you will hear bitter words: | ||
| 26 | "Come here, stranger, prepare the table, and if you have anything at hand, let me have it to eat." | ||
| 27 | "Give place, stranger, to an honoured person; my brother has come to stay with me; I need my house." | ||
| 28 | These things are hard to bear for a man who has feeling: scolding about lodging and the reproach of the moneylender. | ||
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