BenSira:29

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* He that is merciful will lend unto his neighbour ; and he that strengtheneth his hand keepeth the commandments . * Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need , and pay thou thy neighbour again in due season . * Keep thy word , and deal faithfully with him , and thou shalt always find the thing that is necessary for thee . * Many , when a thing was lent them , reckoned it to be found , and put them to trouble that helped them . * 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 . * 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 . * Many therefore have refused to lend for other men 's ill dealing , fearing to be defrauded . * Yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate , and delay not to shew him mercy . * Help the poor for the commandment 's sake , and turn him not away because of his poverty . * Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend , and let it not rust under a stone to be lost . * Lay up thy treasure according to the commandments of the most High , and it shall bring thee more profit than gold . * Shut up alms in thy storehouses : and it shall deliver thee from all affliction . * It shall fight for thee against thine enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear . * An honest man is surety for his neighbour : but he that is impudent will forsake him . * Forget not the friendship of thy surety , for he hath given his life for thee . * A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety : * And he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him [in danger ] that delivered him . * 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 . * 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 . * Help thy neighbour according to thy power , and beware that thou thyself fall not into the same . * The chief thing for life is water , and bread , and clothing , and an house to cover shame . * Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage , than delicate fare in another man 's house . * Be it little or much , hold thee contented , that thou hear not the reproach of thy house . * For it is a miserable life to go from house to house : for where thou art a stranger , thou darest not open thy mouth . * Thou shalt entertain , and feast , and have no thanks : moreover thou shalt hear bitter words : * Come , thou stranger , and furnish a table , and feed me of that thou hast ready . * Give place , thou stranger , to an honourable man ; my brother cometh to be lodged , and I have need of mine house . * These things are grievous to a man of understanding ; the upbraiding of houseroom , and reproaching of the lender .

---