1 He who shows mercy will lend to his neighbor. He who strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments. (WEB) 2 Lend to your neighbor in time of his need. Repay your neighbor on time. (WEB) 3 Confirm your word, and keep faith with him; and at all seasons you will find what you need. (WEB) 4 Many have considered a loan to be a windfall, and have given trouble to those who helped them. (WEB) 5 Until he has received, he will kiss a man’s hands. For his neighbor’s money he will speak submissively. Then when payment is due, he will prolong the time, return excuses, and complain about the season. (WEB) 6 If he prevails, the creditor will hardly receive half; and he will count it as a windfall. If not, he has deprived him of his money, and he has gotten him for an enemy without cause. He will pay him with cursing and railing. Instead of honor, he will pay him disgrace. (WEB) 7 Many on account of fraud have turned away. They are afraid of being defrauded for nothing. (WEB) 8 However be patient with a man in poor estate. Don’t keep him waiting for your alms. (WEB) 9 Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake. According to his need don’t send him empty away. (WEB)
Sirach 29:1–9
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 4:4–6
4 Don’t reject a suppliant in his affliction. Don’t turn your face away from a poor man. (WEB) 5 Don’t turn your eye away from one who asks. Give no occasion to a man to curse you. (WEB) 6 For if he curses you in the bitterness of his soul, he who made him will hear his supplica… (WEB)
Sirach 4:30–31
30 Don’t be like a lion in your house, or suspicious of your servants. (WEB) 31 Don’t let your hand be stretched out to receive, and closed when you should repay. (WEB)
2 Enoch 51:2–4
2 Hide not your silver in the earth. (2EN) 3 Help the faithful man in affliction, and affliction will not find you in the time of your trouble. (2EN) 4 And every grievous and cruel yoke that come upon you bear all for the sake of the Lord, and thus you will find your reward in t… (2EN)
Sirach 4:1–2
1 My son, don’t deprive the poor of his living. Don’t make the needy eyes wait long. (WEB) 2 Don’t make a hungry soul sorrowful, or provoke a man in his distress. (WEB)
Sirach 8:11–13
11 Don’t rise up from the presence of an insolent man, lest he lie in wait as an ambush for your mouth. (WEB) 12 Don’t lend to a man who is stronger than you; and if you lend, count it as a loss. (WEB) 13 Don’t be surety beyond your means. If you give surety, think as one who will… (WEB)
Proverbs 28:7–9
7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. 8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor. 9 Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
Proverbs 3:26–28
26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare. 27 Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. 28 Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”— when you already have the means.
Psalms 37:20–22
20 But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away. 21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving. 22 Surely those He blesses will inherit the land, but…
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