Sirach 29 - UPDV Updated Bible Version

^29:1 He who lends to his neighbor shows kindness, And he who strengthened him with his hand keeps the commandments.
^29:2 Lend to your neighbor in time of his need, And repay your neighbor at the appointed time.
^29:3 Confirm your word, and keep faith with him; And [so] will you always have what you need.
^29:4 Many have reckoned a loan as a windfall, And have brought trouble on those who helped them.
^29:5 Until he receives it he kisses your hand, And speaks humbly about his neighbor's money; But when payment is due he prolongs the time, And returns heavy words, and complains of [the shortness of] the time.
^29:6 And if he is able [to repay], with difficulty he will receive half, And counts it as a windfall; And if not [able to repay], he has deprived him of his money, And has made him an enemy without cause. With cursings and railings he repays him, And instead of honor he repays him with insult.
^29:7 Many have turned away [from lending] because of wickedness, They feared to be defrauded for nothing.
^29:8 Nevertheless with the lowly man be longsuffering, And do not let him wait for alms.
^29:9 Help the poor for the commandment's sake, And do not grieve for the loss.
^29:10 Lose money for a brother or a friend's sake, And do not let it rust under a stone or a wall.
^29:11 Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, And it will profit you more than gold.
^29:12 Store up alms in your store-chambers, And it will deliver you from all affliction;
^29:13 Better than a mighty shield and a heavy spear Will this avail you against an enemy.
^29:14 A good man becomes surety for his neighbor, But he who has lost his sense of shame fails him.
^29:15 The kindness of a surety do not forget, For he has given his soul for you.
^29:16 A sinner destroys the estate of a surety,
^29:17 And he who is of an ungrateful mind fails him who delivered him.
^29:18 Suretyship has undone many who were prospering, And has tossed them about as a wave of the sea. Wealthy men it has driven from their homes, And they wandered among strange nations.
^29:19 The sinner who falls in his suretyship And tries to get out of it, falls into judgements.
^29:20 Help your neighbor according to your power, And take heed to yourself that you do not fall.
^29:21 The chief requisites for life are water and bread, And a garment, and a house to cover nakedness.
^29:22 Better the life of a poor man under a shelter of logs, Than sumptuous food among strangers.
^29:23 Be content with little or much,
^29:24 It is an evil life going from house to house, For where one is a sojourner, One does not open the mouth;
^29:25 You are a stranger and drink contempt; Besides this you will bear bitter things:
^29:26 "Come here, sojourner, furnish the table, And if there is anything in your hand, feed me";
^29:27 [Or]: "Get out, sojourner, from the presence of honor, My brother has come as my guest, I need my house!"
^29:28 These things are grievous to a man who has understanding: Upbraiding [concerning] sojourning, and the reproach of a money lender.

Sirach, Chapter 29