CPDV - Sirach - 29

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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