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

1He that shows mercy will lend to his neighbor; 2Lend to your neighbor in time of his need; 3Confirm your word, and keep faith with him; 4Many have reckoned a loan as a windfall, 5Till he has received, he will kiss a man’s hands; the times. Gr. the season. 6If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half; 7Many on account of Some ancient authorities read Many therefore. men’s ill-dealing have turned away; 8Howbeit with a man in poor estate be longsuffering; your alms. 9Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake; 10Lose your money for a brother and a friend; 11Bestow your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High; 12Shut up alms in your store-chambers; 13It shall fight for you against your enemy 14A good man will be surety for his neighbor; 15Forget not the good offices of your surety; 16A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety; 17And he that is of an unthankful mind will fail him that delivered him. 18Suretiship has undone many that were prospering, 19A sinner that falls into suretiship, 20Help your neighbor according to your power, to the same. 21The chief thing for life is water, and bread, 22Better is the life of a poor man under a shelter of logs, 23With little or with much, be well satisfied. The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. 24It is a miserable life to go from house to house: dare to open your mouth. 25You shall entertain, and give to drink, and have no thanks: 26Come hither, you sojourner, furnish a table, 27Go forth, you sojourner, from the face of honor; 28These things are grievous to a man of understanding;