Sirach

Chapter-29

Sirach 29:1 He shows mercy who lends to his neighbor, for he keeps the commandments by strengthening him.

 

Sirach 29:2 Lend to your neighbor in his time of need, and receive it again from your neighbor in his time.

 

Sirach 29:3 Keep your word, and act faithfully with him, and then you will find whatever you need in every time.

 

Sirach 29:4 Many have treated a loan like found money, and they offered trouble to those who helped them.

 

Sirach 29:5 Until they receive, they kiss the hands of the giver, and they humble their voice in promises.

 

Sirach 29:6 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.

 

Sirach 29:7 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.

 

Sirach 29:8 But if not, then he will defraud him of his money, and he will have him as an enemy without cause.

 

Sirach 29:9 And he will repay him with accusations and curses, and he will repay him with contempt, instead of with honor and kindness.

 

Sirach 29:10 Many have refused to lend, not because of wickedness, but because they were afraid to be defrauded without cause.

 

Sirach 29:11 Yet truly, be more steadfast toward the humble, and you should not delay in acts of mercy toward them.

 

Sirach 29:12 Assist the poor because of the commandment. And you should not send him away empty because of his dire need.

 

Sirach 29:13 Lose your money to your brother and your friend. For you should not hide it under a stone to be lost.

 

Sirach 29:14 Let your treasure be in the precepts of the Most High, and it will benefit you more than gold.

 

Sirach 29:15 Store your alms in the hearts of the poor, and it will obtain help for you against all evil.

 

Sirach 29:16 Better than the shield or the lance of a powerful man,

 

Sirach 29:17 it will fight for you against your enemy.

 

Sirach 29:18 A good man offers credit for the sake of his neighbor. But one who abandons him to himself will perish in shame.

 

Sirach 29:19 You should not forget the kindness of your benefactor. For he has offered his life on your behalf.

 

Sirach 29:20 The sinner and the unclean flee from such promises.

 

Sirach 29:21 A sinner attributes to himself the goods of his loan. And an ungrateful mind will abandon the one who has freed him.

 

Sirach 29:22 A man offers credit to his neighbor. But when he will have lost respect, he will abandon him.

 

Sirach 29:23 A wicked promise has destroyed many who had good intentions, and has tossed them like a wave on the ocean.

 

Sirach 29:24 It has caused powerful men to travel around, and they have wandered amid foreign nations.

 

Sirach 29:25 A sinner transgressing the commandment of the Lord will fall into a wicked promise. And he who undertakes many things will fall into judgment.

 

Sirach 29:26 Help your neighbor to recover according to your ability, but attend to yourself, lest you also fall.

 

Sirach 29:27 The primary need in a man’s life is water and bread, and clothing, and a house to protect modesty.

 

Sirach 29:28 A pauper’s food under a roof of boards is better than a splendid feast on a sojourn away from home.

 

Sirach 29:29 Let yourself be pleased with little instead of much, and you will not hear the reproach of being away from home.

 

Sirach 29:30 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.

 

Sirach 29:31 He will entertain, and feed, and give drink to the ungrateful, and beyond this, he will listen to bitter words:

 

Sirach 29:32 “Go, my guest, and set the table, and let others eat from what you have in your hand.”

 

Sirach 29:33 “Depart from the honored face of my friends. For it has become necessary for my house to host my brother instead.”

 

Sirach 29:34 These things are grievous to a man having understanding: to take advantage of a household, and to reproach a lender.