Ecclesiasticus
Chapter 29
Lend charitably, ℣.3 and restore faithfully. ℣.10 For the fault of ill debters, omit not to help the honest. ℣.12 Rather give alms where need is. ℣.19 Be thankful for suretyship. ℣.28 Live frugally. ℣.32 Go not a guesting for delicate cheer.
- 1
He that lendeth to his neighbour, doth mercy: and he that prevaileth with hand, keepeth the commandments.
- 2
Lend to thy neighbour in the time of his necessity, and again repay thy neighbour in his time.
- 3
Confirm thy word, and do faithfully with him: & thou shalt find at all time that which is necessary for thee.
- 4
Many have esteemed a thing lent as a thing found, and have given molestation to them that did help them.
- 5
Till they receive, they kiss the hands of the lender, and in promises they humble their voice:
- 6
and in the time of repaying they will ask a time, and will speak words of tediousness and murmurings, and will make the time an excuse:
- 7
and if he be able to pay, he will resist, he will pay scarce half of the whole, and will account it as a thing found:
- 8
but if not, he will defraud him of his money, and possess him an enemy without cause:
- 9
and will repay him reproaches and curses, and for honour and benefit will repay him contumely.
- 10
Many have not lent, not because of wickedness, but they were afraid to be defrauded without cause.
- 11
But yet upon the humble be stronger of mind, & for alms defer him not.
- 12
Because of the commandment receive the poor: and because of his poverty, send him not away empty.
- 13
Lose money for thy brother and thy friend: and hide it not under a stone unto perdition.
- 14
Put thy treasure in the precepts of the Highest, & it shall profit thee more than gold.
- 15
Shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and the same shall obtain for thee against all evil.
- 16
The alms a man giveth is as a purse with him: it will conserve his grace as the ball of the eye.
- 17
And furthermore will raise up and render reward to every one upon their heads.
- 18
Above the shield of the mighty, & above the spear, it shall fight against thine enemy.
- 19
A good man becometh surety for his neighbour: and he that hath lost shame, will leave him to himself.
- 20
Forget not the kindness of a surety: for he hath given his life for thee.
- 21
The sinner and unclean person flyeth from his surety.
- 22
A sinner counteth the goods of his surety to himself: and unthankful in mind, will forsake him that delivered him.
- 23
A man is surety for his neighbour: and when he hath lost shame, he shall be forsaken of him.
- 24
Naughty suretyship hath undone many that were in good case, and hath tossed them as a wave of the sea.
- 25
Whurling round about, it hath made mighty men to remove, and they have wandered in strange nations.
- 26
A sinner that transgresseth the commandment of our Lord, shall fall into naughty fall into naughty suretyship: and he that endeavoureth to do many things, shall fall into judgement.
- 27
Recover thy neighbour according to thy power, and take heed to thy self that thou fall not.
- 28
The beginning of man's life water & bread, and garment, and house covering his turpitude.
- 29
Better is the poor man's fare under a roof of boards, than sumptuous cheer in a strange place without a house.
- 30
Let the least thing please thee in stead of a great, and thou shalt not hear the reproach of peregrination.
- 31
It is a naughty life to change lodging from house to house: and where he shall lodge, he shall not deal boldly, nor open his mouth.
- 32
He shall lodge, and feed, and make the unthankful drink, and beside these things he shall hear bitter words.
- 33
Pass thou stranger & furnish the table, & with the things thou hast in thy hand, feed the rest.
- 34
Depart from the presence of the honour of my friends: for the necessity of my house my brother is to be lodged with me.
- 35
These things be grievous to a man that hath understanding: rebuke for the house, and the reproach of the lender.