Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)

29:1 Hee that is mercifull, will lende vnto his neighbour, and hee that strengthneth his hande, keepeth the Commandements.

29:1 He that is merciful will lend unto his neighbour; and he that strengtheneth his hand keepeth the commandments.

29:2 Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour againe in due season.

29:2 Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour again in due season.

29:3 Keepe thy word & deale faithfully with him, and thou shalt alwaies finde the thing that is necessary for thee.

29:3 Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him, and thou shalt always find the thing that is necessary for thee.

29:4 Many when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them.

29:4 Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them.

29:5 Till he hath receiued, he will kisse a mans hand: and for his neighbours money he will speake submissely: but when he should repay, he will prolong the time, and returne words of griefe, and complaine of the time.

29:5 Till he hath received, he will kiss a man's hand; and for his neighbour'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.

29:6 If he preuaile, he shall hardly receiue the halfe, and he will count as if he had found it: if not; he hath depriued him of his money, and he hath gotten him an enemy without cause: he payeth him with cursings, and raylings: and for honour he will pay him disgrace.

29:6 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.

29:7 Many therefore haue refused to lend for other mens ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded.

29:7 Many therefore have refused to lend for other men's ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded.

29:8 Yet haue thou patience with a man in poore estate, and delay not to shew him mercy.

29:8 Yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to shew him mercy.

29:9 Helpe the poore for the commandements sake, and turne him not away because of his pouertie.

29:9 Help the poor for the commandment's sake, and turn him not away because of his poverty.

29:10 Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend, and let it not rust vnder a stone to be lost.

29:10 Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend, and let it not rust under a stone to be lost.

29:11 Lay vp thy treasure according to the commandements of the most high, and it shall bring thee more profite then golde.

29:11 Lay up thy treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold.

29:12 Shut vp almes in thy storehouses: and it shall deliuer thee from all affliction.

29:12 Shut up alms in thy storehouses: and it shall deliver thee from all affliction.

29:13 It shal fight for thee against thine enemies, better then a mightie shield and strong speare.

29:13 It shall fight for thee against thine enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear.

29:14 An honest man is suretie for his neighbour: but hee that is impudent, will forsake him.

29:14 An honest man is surety for his neighbour: but he that is impudent will forsake him.

29:15 Forget not the friendship of thy suretie: for hee hath giuen his life for thee.

29:15 Forget not the friendship of thy surety, for he hath given his life for thee.

29:16 A sinner will ouerthrow the good estate of his suretie:

29:16 A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety:

29:17 And he that is of an vnthankfull minde, will leaue him in [danger] that deliuered him.

29:17 And he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him [in danger] that delivered him.

29:18 Suretiship hath vndone many of good estate, and shaked them as a waue of the Sea: mightie men hath it driuen from their houses, so that they wandred among strange nations.

29:18 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.

29:19 A wicked man transgressing the commandements of the Lord, shall fall into suretiship: and hee that vndertaketh and followeth other mens businesse for gaine, shall fall into suits.

29:19 A wicked man transgressing the commandments of the Lord shall fall into suretiship: and he that undertaketh and followeth other men's business for gain shall fall into suits.

29:20 Helpe thy neighbour according to thy power, and beware that thou thy selfe fall not into the same.

29:20 Help thy neighbour according to thy power, and beware that thou thyself fall not into the same.

29:21 The chiefe thing for life is water and bread, and clothing, and an house to couer shame.

29:21 The chief thing for life is water, and bread, and clothing, and an house to cover shame.

29:22 Better is the life of a poore man in a meane cottage, then delicate fare in another mans house.

29:22 Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage, than delicate fare in another man's house.

29:23 Be it little or much, holde thee contented, that thou heare not the reproch of thy house.

29:23 Be it little or much, hold thee contented, that thou hear not the reproach of thy house.

29:24 For it is a miserable life to goe from house to house: for where thou art a stranger, thou darest not open thy mouth.

29:24 For it is a miserable life to go from house to house: for where thou art a stranger, thou darest not open thy mouth.

29:25 Thou shalt entertaine and feast, and haue no thankes: moreouer, thou shalt heare bitter words.

29:25 Thou shalt entertain, and feast, and have no thanks: moreover thou shalt hear bitter words:

29:26 Come thou stranger, and furnish a table, and feede me of that thou hast ready.

29:26 Come, thou stranger, and furnish a table, and feed me of that thou hast ready.

29:27 Giue place thou stranger to an honourable man, my brother commeth to be lodged, and I haue neede of mine house.

29:27 Give place, thou stranger, to an honourable man; my brother cometh to be lodged, and I have need of mine house.

29:28 These things are grieuous to a man of vnderstanding: the vpbraiding of house-roome, and reproching of the lender.

29:28 These things are grievous to a man of understanding; the upbraiding of houseroom, and reproaching of the lender.