> [[sirach-28|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-30|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 29 ## Chapter 29 ### Loans, Alms and Surety 1 The merciful lend to their neighbor, ^sirach-29-1 by holding out a helping hand, they keep the commandments. 2 Lend to your neighbor in his time of need, ^sirach-29-2 and pay back your neighbor in time. 3 Keep your promise and be honest with him, ^sirach-29-3 and at all times you will find what you need. 4 Many borrowers ask for a loan ^sirach-29-4 and cause trouble for those who help them. 5 Till he gets a loan, he kisses the lender’s hand ^sirach-29-5 and speaks softly of his creditor’s money, But at time of payment, delays, makes excuses, and finds fault with the timing. 6 If he can pay, the lender will recover barely half, ^sirach-29-6 and will consider that a windfall. If he cannot pay, the lender is cheated of his money and acquires an enemy at no extra charge; With curses and insults the borrower will repay, and instead of honor will repay with abuse. 7 Many refuse to lend, not out of meanness, ^sirach-29-7 but from fear of being cheated needlessly. 8 But with those in humble circumstances be patient; ^sirach-29-8 do not keep them waiting for your alms. 9 Because of the commandment, help the poor, ^sirach-29-9 and in their need, do not send them away empty-handed. 10 Lose your money for relative or friend; ^sirach-29-10 do not hide it under a stone to rot. 11 Dispose of your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, ^sirach-29-11 and that will profit you more than the gold. 12 Store up [[almsgiving]] in your treasury, ^sirach-29-12 and it will save you from every evil. 13 Better than a mighty shield and a sturdy spear ^sirach-29-13 it will fight for you against the enemy. 14 A good person will be surety for a neighbor, ^sirach-29-14 but whoever has lost a sense of shame will fail him. 15 Do not forget the kindness of your backer, ^sirach-29-15 for he has given his very life for you. 16 A sinner will turn the favor of a pledge into misfortune, ^sirach-29-16 17 and the ungrateful will abandon his rescuer. ^sirach-29-17 18 Going surety has ruined many who were prosperous ^sirach-29-18 and tossed them about like waves of the sea; It has exiled the prominent and sent them wandering through foreign lands. 19 The sinner will come to grief through surety, ^sirach-29-19 and whoever undertakes too much will fall into lawsuits. 20 Help your neighbor according to your means, ^sirach-29-20 but take care lest you fall yourself. ### Frugality and Its Rewards 21 Life’s prime needs are water, bread, and clothing, ^sirach-29-21 and also a house for decent privacy. 22 Better is the life of the poor under the shadow of their own roof ^sirach-29-22 than sumptuous banquets among strangers. 23 Whether little or much, be content with what you have: ^sirach-29-23 then you will hear no reproach as a parasite. 24 It is a miserable life to go from house to house, ^sirach-29-24 for where you are a guest you dare not open your mouth. 25 You will entertain and provide drink without being thanked; ^sirach-29-25 besides, you will hear these bitter words: 26 “Come here, you parasite, set the table, ^sirach-29-26 let me eat the food you have there! 27 Go away, you parasite, for one more worthy; ^sirach-29-27 for my relative’s visit I need the room!” 28 Painful things to a sensitive person ^sirach-29-28 are rebuke as a parasite and insults from creditors. \* (29:1] – [20) Some practical maxims concerning the use of wealth. Give to the poor (vv. [8] – [9]), lend to a needy neighbor, but repay when a loan falls due lest the lender’s burden be increased (vv. [1] – [5]) and his kindness abused (vv. [6] – [7]); through charity build up defense against evil (vv. [10] – [13]). Help your neighbor according to your means, but take care not to fall (v. [20]), for the shameless play false and bring their protectors and themselves to misfortune and ruin (vv. [14] – [19]). \* (29:12] – [13) In Ben Sira’s day, [[almsgiving]] and righteousness were practically identified. \* (29:14] – [17) Ben Sira is more lenient on going surety than earlier sages; cf. [Prv 6:1] – [5]. \* (29:21] – [28) Those who provide their own basic needs of food, clothing and dwelling, and are content with what they have, preserve their freedom and self-respect (vv. [21] – [23]). But if they live as guests, even among the rich, they expose themselves to insult and rebuke (vv. [24] – [28]). a. (29:1) [Dt 15:8]; [Ps 112:5]; [Prv 19:17]. b. (29:2) ([[exodus-22|Ex 22]]:24] – [26]; [Lv 25:36]; ([[matthew-05|Mt 5]]:42]. c. (29:9) [Sir 4:1] – [6]; [Lv 19:9] – [10]; [23:22]. d. (29:11) [[sirach-17|Sir 17]]:22 – [23]; [Tb 4:7] – [11]. e. (29:14) [Sir 8:13]. f. (29:18) [Prv 6:1] – [2]; [11:15]. g. (29:21) [Sir 39:26]. h. (29:22) [Sir 40:29]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-28|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-30|Next →]]