OET-RV SIR Chapter 29

29 He who shows mercy will lend to his neighbour.

He who strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments.

2 Lend to your neighbour in time of his need.

Repay your neighbour on time.

3 Confirm your word, and keep faith with him;

and at all seasons you’ll find what you need.

4 Many have considered a loan to be a windfall,

and have given trouble to those who helped them.

5 Until he’s received, he’ll kiss a man’s hands.

Because his neighbour’s money he’ll speak submissively.

Then when payment is due, he’ll prolong the time,

return excuses, and complain about the season.

6 If he prevails, the creditor will hardly receive half;

and he’ll count it as a windfall.

If not, he’s deprived him of his money,

and he has gotten him for an enemy without cause.

He’ll pay him with cursing and railing.

Instead of honour, he’ll pay him disgrace.

7 Many on account of fraud have turned away.

They’re afraid of being defrauded for nothing.

8 However be patient with a man in poor estate.

Don’t keep him waiting for your gift.

9 Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake.

According to his need don’t send him empty away.

10 Lose your money for a brother and a friend.

Don’t let it rust under a stone and be lost.

11 Allocate your treasure according to the Most High’s commandments

and it’ll profit you more than gold.

12 Store up almsgiving in your store-chambers

and it’ll deliver you out of all affliction.

13 It’ll fight for you against your enemy

better than a mighty shield and a ponderous spear.

14 A good man will be surety for his neighbour.

He who’s lost shame will fail him.

15 Don’t forget the kindness of your guarantor,

for he’s given his life for you.

16 A sinner will waste the property of his guarantor.

17 He who’s thankless will fail him who delivered him.

18 Being surety has undone many who were prospering

and shaken them as a wave of the sea.

It’s driven mighty men from their homes.

They wandered among foreign nations.

19 A sinner who falls into suretiship and undertakes contracts for work

will fall into lawsuits.

20 Help your neighbour according to your power,

and be careful not to fall yourself.

21 The essentials of life are water, bread,

a garment, and a house for privacy.

22 Better is the life of a poor man under a shelter of logs

than sumptuous fare in another man’s house.

23 With little or with much, be well satisfied.[fn]

24 It’s a miserable life to go from house to house.

Where you’re a guest, you dare not open your mouth.

25 You’ll entertain, serve drinks, and have no thanks.

In addition to this, you’ll hear bitter words.

26 “Come here, you sojourner, set a table,

and if you have anything in your hand, feed me with it.”

27 “Leave, you sojourner, for an honoured guest is here.

My brother has come to be my guest. I need my house.”

28 These things are grievous to a man of understanding:

The scolding about lodging and the insults of creditors.