The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 29

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 kis a man’s hand and for his ne hbour’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 ot r 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 comm dment’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 ot r 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 anot r 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