English Bible
Sirach 29
Big screen- 1He that is merciful will lend to his neighbor; and he that strengthens his hand keeps the commandments.
- 2Lend to your neighbor in time of his need, and pay you your neighbor again in due season.
- 3Keep your word, and deal faithfully with him, and you shall always find the thing that is necessary for you.
- 4Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them.
- 5Till he has received, he will kiss a man's hand; and for his neighbor'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.
- 6If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half, and he will count as if he had found it: if not, he has deprived him of his money, and he has gotten him an enemy without cause: he pays him with cursings and railings; and for honor he will pay him disgrace.
- 7Many therefore have refused to lend for other men's ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded.
- 8Yet have you patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to show him mercy.
- 9Help the poor for the commandment's sake, and turn him not away because of his poverty.
- 10Lose your money for your brother and your friend, and let it not rust under a stone to be lost.
- 11Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring you more profit than gold.
- 12Shut up alms in your storehouses: and it shall deliver you from all affliction.
- 13It shall fight for you against your enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear.
- 14An honest man is surety for his neighbor: but he that is impudent will forsake him.
- 15Forget not the friendship of your surety, for he has given his life for you.
- 16A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety:
- 17And he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him in danger that delivered him.
- 18Suretiship has undone many of good estate, and shaken them as a wave of the sea: mighty men has it driven from their houses, so that they wandered among strange nations.
- 19A wicked man transgressing the commandments of the Lord shall fall into suretiship: and he that undertakes and follows other men's business for gain shall fall into suits.
- 20Help your neighbor according to your power, and beware that you yourself fall not into the same.
- 21The chief thing for life is water, and bread, and clothing, and an house to cover shame.
- 22Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage, than delicate fare in another man's house.
- 23Be it little or much, hold you contented, that you hear not the reproach of your house.
- 24For it is a miserable life to go from house to house: for where you are a stranger, you dare not open your mouth.
- 25You shall entertain, and feast, and have no thanks: moreover you shall hear bitter words:
- 26Come, you stranger, and furnish a table, and feed me of that you have ready.
- 27Give place, you stranger, to an honorable man; my brother comes to be lodged, and I have need of my house.
- 28These things are grievous to a man of understanding; the upbraiding of houseroom, and reproaching of the lender.