KJB-1611 by section SIR 29:0

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Wisdom of Sirach / Ecclesiasticus 29

0 2. Wee must shew mercy and lend: 4 but the borower must not defraud the lender. 9 Giue almes. 14 A good man will not vndoe his suretie. 18 To be suretie and vndertake for others is dangerous. 22 It is better to liue at home, then to soiourne. XXIX ¶ Hee that is mercifull, will lende vnto his neighbour, and hee that strengthneth his hande, keepeth the Commandements. 2 [fn]Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour againe in due season. 3 Keepe thy word & deale faithfully with him, and thou shalt alwaies finde the thing that is necessary for thee. 4 Many when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them. 5 Till he hath receiued, he will kisse a mans hand: and for his neighbours money he will speake submissely: but when he should repay, he will prolong the time, and returne words of griefe, and complaine of the time. 6 [fn]If he preuaile, he shall hardly receiue the halfe, and he will count as if he had found it: if not; he hath depriued him of his money, and he hath gotten him an enemy without cause: he payeth him with cursings, and raylings: and for honour he will pay him disgrace. 7 Many therefore haue refused to lend for other mens ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded. 8 Yet haue thou patience with a man in poore estate, and delay not to shew him mercy. 9 Helpe the poore for the commandements sake, and turne him not away because of his pouertie. 10 Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend, and let it not rust vnder a stone to be lost. 11 [fn]Lay vp thy treasure according to the commandements of the most high, and it shall bring thee more profite then golde. 12 [fn]Shut vp almes in thy storehouses: and it shall deliuer thee from all affliction. 13 It shal fight for thee against thine enemies, better then a mightie shield and strong speare. 14 [fn]An honest man is suretie for his neighbour: but hee that is impudent, will forsake him. 15 Forget not the friendship of thy suretie: for hee hath giuen his life for thee. 16 A sinner will ouerthrow the good estate of his suretie: 17 And he that is of an vnthankfull minde, will leaue him in [danger] that deliuered him. 18 Suretiship hath vndone many of good estate, and shaked them as a waue of the Sea: mightie men hath it driuen from their houses, so that they wandred among strange nations. 19 A wicked man transgressing the commandements of the Lord, shall fall into suretiship: and hee that vndertaketh and followeth other mens businesse for gaine, shall fall into suits. 20 Helpe thy neighbour according to thy power, and beware that thou thy selfe fall not into the same. 21 [fn]The chiefe thing for life is water and bread, and clothing, and an house to couer shame. 22 Better is the life of a poore man in a meane cottage, then delicate fare in another mans house. 23 Be it little or much, holde thee contented, that thou heare not the reproch of thy house. 24 For it is a miserable life to goe from house to house: for where thou art a stranger, thou darest not open thy mouth. 25 Thou shalt entertaine and feast, and haue no thankes: moreouer, thou shalt heare bitter words. 26 Come thou stranger, and furnish a table, and feede me of that thou hast ready. 27 Giue place thou stranger to an honourable man, my brother commeth to be lodged, and I haue neede of mine house. 28 These things are grieuous to a man of vnderstanding: the vpbraiding of house-roome, and reproching of the lender.

29:2 Deut. 15. 8. matth.5. 42. luke 6. 35.

29:6 Or, if he be able.

29:11 Dan.4.24 matt. 6.20. luke 11.41. and 12. 33. acts 10.4. 1.tim.6 18,19. Iob 4 8, 9,10.

29:12 Dan.4.24 matt. 6.20. luke 11.41. and 12. 33. acts 10.4. 1.tim.6 18,19. Iob 4 8, 9,10.

29:14 Or, faile.

29:21 Chap.39. 26.