Sirach 29

1He who shows mercy lends to his neighbor, and he who strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments.

2Lend to your neighbor in his time of need, and in turn repay your neighbor on time.

3Keep your word, and be faithful to him, and at all times you will find what you need.

4Many have regarded a loan as a windfall, and have caused trouble for those who helped them.

5Until he receives it, he will kiss his neighbor's hand, and for his neighbor’s money he will lower his voice; but at the time of repayment he will delay, and he will repay with words of indifference and blame the timing.

6If he is able, he will scarcely recover half, and will count it as a find; but if not, he has been deprived of his money, and has gained an enemy for nothing. He will repay him with curses and insults, and instead of honor he will repay him with dishonor.

7Many, because of wickedness, turned away; they were afraid of being defrauded gratuitously.

8But be patient with the humble, and do not keep him waiting for almsgiving.

9For the sake of the commandment, help the poor, and according to his need do not send him away empty.

10Lose silver for a brother and a friend, and do not let it rust under a stone to destruction.

11Store up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, and it will profit you more than gold.

12Store up almsgiving in your treasuries, and it will rescue you from every affliction.

13More than a strong shield and more than a mighty spear, it will fight for you against an enemy.

14A good man will stand surety for his neighbor, but one who has lost shame will abandon him.

15Do not forget the kindnesses of a guarantor, for he gave his life for you.

16A sinner will overturn the good things of a guarantor,

17And one who is ungrateful in mind will abandon the one who rescued him.

18Surety has destroyed many who were upright, and has shaken them like a wave of the sea; it has driven mighty men from their homes, and they wandered among foreign nations.

19A sinner who falls into surety and pursues contracts will fall into lawsuits.

20Support your neighbor according to your ability, and watch yourself lest you fall.

21The beginning of life is water and bread and clothing, and a house covering shame.

22Better is the life of a poor man under shelter than splendid food in another's house.

23Be content with little and with much.

24A miserable life is to go from house to house, and where one stays as a stranger, he will not open his mouth.

25You will host and give drink to the ungrateful, and besides these things you will hear bitter words.

26Move along, sojourner; set the table in order, and if you have anything in your hand, feed me with it.

27Go out, sojourner, from the place of honor, for my brother has become my guest, and I need the lodging.

28These things are grievous to a man who has understanding: the reproach of a household and the insult of a lender.