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Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 29

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1 He who shows mercy will lend to his neighbour.

2 Lend to your neighbour in time of his need.

3 Confirm your word, and keep faith with him;

4 Many have considered a loan to be a windfall,

5 Until he has received, he will kiss a man’s hands.

6 If he prevails, the creditor will hardly receive half;

7 Many on account of fraud have turned away.

8 However be patient with a man in poor estate.

9 Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake.

10 Lose your money for a brother and a friend.

11 Allocate your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High

12 Store up almsgiving in your store-chambers

13 It will fight for you against your enemy

14 A good man will be surety for his neighbour.

15 Don’t forget the kindness of your guarantor,

16 A sinner will waste the property of his guarantor.

17 He who is thankless will fail him who delivered him.

18 Being surety has undone many who were prospering

19 A sinner who falls into suretiship and undertakes contracts for work

20 Help your neighbour according to your power,

21 The essentials of life are water, bread,

22 Better is the life of a poor man under a shelter of logs

23 With little or with much, be well satisfied.

24 It is a miserable life to go from house to house.

25 You will entertain, serve drinks, and have no thanks.

26 “Come here, you sojourner, set a table,

27 “Leave, you sojourner, for an honoured guest is here.

28 These things are grievous to a man of understanding: