The Word Am I

The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 29 -

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

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

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.
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