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) 3 Don’t add more trouble to a heart that is provoked. Don’t put off giving to him who is in need. (WEB) 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 supplication. (WEB) 7 Endear yourself to the assembly. Bow your head to a great man. (WEB) 8 Incline your ear to a poor man. Answer him with peaceful words in humility. (WEB) 9 Deliver him who is wronged from the hand of him who wrongs him; Don’t be hesitant in giving judgment. (WEB) 10 Be as a father to the fatherless, and like a husband to their mother. So you will be as a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than your mother does. (WEB)
Sirach 4:1–10
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 29:8–10
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) 10 Lose your money for a brother and a friend. Don’t let it rust under a stone and be l… (WEB)
Proverbs 22:21–23
21 to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you? 22 Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, 23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
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 74:18–20
18 Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name. 19 Do not deliver the soul of Your dove to beasts; do not forget the lives of Your afflicted forever. 20 Consider Your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of…
Tobit 4:6–8
6 For if you do what is true, your deeds will prosperously succeed for you, and for all those who do righteousness. (WEB) 7 Give alms from your possessions. When you give alms, don’t let your eye be envious. Don’t turn away your face from any poor man, and the face of G… (WEB)
Psalms 82:2–4
2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.
Sirach 4:21–23
21 For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that is glory and grace. (WEB) 22 Don’t show partiality, discrediting your soul. Don’t revere any man to your falling. (WEB) 23 Don’t refrain from speaking when it is for safety. Don’t hide your wisdom for the sake of se… (WEB)
Exodus 23:5–7
5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it. 6 You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits. 7 Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will…
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