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Sirach 29:1-13
New Revised Standard Version,
Anglicised Catholic Edition
On Lending and Borrowing
29 The merciful lend to their neighbours;
by holding out a helping hand they keep the commandments.
2 Lend to your neighbour in his time of need;
repay your neighbour when a loan falls due.
3 Keep your promise and be honest with him,
and on every occasion you will find what you need.
4 Many regard a loan as a windfall,
and cause trouble to those who help them.
5 One kisses another’s hands until he gets a loan,
and is deferential in speaking of his neighbour’s money;
but at the time for repayment he delays,
and pays back with empty promises,
and finds fault with the time.
6 If he can pay, his creditor[a] will hardly get back half,
and will regard that as a windfall.
If he cannot pay, the borrower[b] has robbed the other of his money,
and he has needlessly made him an enemy;
he will repay him with curses and reproaches,
and instead of glory will repay him with dishonour.
7 Many refuse to lend, not because of meanness,
but from fear[c] of being defrauded needlessly.
8 Nevertheless, be patient with someone in humble circumstances,
and do not keep him waiting for your alms.
9 Help the poor for the commandment’s sake,
and in their need do not send them away empty-handed.
10 Lose your silver for the sake of a brother or a friend,
and do not let it rust under a stone and be lost.
11 Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High,
and it will profit you more than gold.
12 Store up almsgiving in your treasury,
and it will rescue you from every disaster;
13 better than a stout shield and a sturdy spear,
it will fight for you against the enemy.
Ben Sirach was a pracher or prophet in times of Hellenistic period of
Judea and the Second Temple. His writings were sparsely preserved in
Hebrew and mostly in Greek translations. Thereof it was not included
in the Old Testament canon. Roman Catholic churches consider it "deuterocanonical", and Eastern Orthodox and Protestant "apocryphal".
It is mostly considered a part of the "wisdom books", which include
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom, Sirach, Tobit, and probably most quoted
Book of Job.
in the LORD God Creator of the Universe,
Maker of Heaven and Earth,
Maker of Adam and Eve,
Almighty, Merciful, Longsuffering, All-Seeing (El-Roi), All-Hearing (Yishma-El), All-Knowing,
in the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth and
in the Holy Ghost holy name
Amen
a disciple
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