Sirach 29
29
Loans
1 #
Ex 22.25; Lv 25.35-38. Obey God's Law
about helping
your neighbors;
have mercy and lend them money
when they truly need it.
2If others lend you money,
pay them back,
and don't be late!
3If you keep your promises
to pay what you owe,
others will be glad
to lend you what you need.
4Many think what they borrow
is theirs to keep,
and this causes trouble
when others try to help them.
5Those who lend money
are treated with great respect
until the time comes
for loans to be repaid.
Then all they get are excuses
and stories of hard times.
6Sometimes they feel lucky
to get back half
of the money they lent.
And instead of respect,
a lender often gets nothing
but curses and angry words
from a borrower
who is robbing the lender
by not paying back the loan.
7That's why many refuse to lend;
they do care about others,
but they have no desire
to be cheated.
Give Generously to the Poor
8However, give to the poor;
be quick and generous.
9Obey the Lord's command—
don't refuse to help
when people are in need.
10Give away your silver
to a brother or a friend;
don't hide it under a rock,
where it will rust.
11Give your gold to the needy
as God Most High commands,
and you will be better off
than if you had kept it.
12Your gifts to the poor
are a treasure
that will rescue you
when trouble comes,
13and they give better protection
than the strongest shields
and spears.
Guaranteeing a Loan for a Friend
14When a friend needs a loan,
a good person will guarantee
that the loan will be repaid.
To refuse to help this friend
would be a disgrace.
15And remember—if friends
have helped you this way,
they have risked all they own
to be kind * 16and rescue you.
So if they are forced to repay
what you borrowed,
17you are not only ungrateful,
you are a sinner.
18People of wealth and power
have often become poor
and homeless,
drifting from place to place
in foreign countries,
their wealth taken in payment
for loans they guaranteed.
19Sinners want to make big profits
from guaranteed loans,
but they may get only trouble
and lawsuits in court.
20Be careful! There is danger
when you guarantee a loan,
but you have to help a friend
as much as you can.
Your Own Home Is Best
21Life's most important things
are water, food, clothing,
and a home that gives you
some privacy.
22It is better to be poor
in your own home,
than to live with others
and be treated to banquets.
23Be content with what you have,
because you will be insulted
if you live off others.#29.23 you will … others: One possible meaning for the difficult text.
24You will always be miserable
and will not dare say a word,
if you have to depend on others
for food and a place to sleep.
25You will become their servant,
and instead of thanking you,
they will say,
26“Stranger, set the table!”
Or, “I'm still hungry—
give me your food.”
27Finally they will tell you to leave
so they can give your room
to a relative
or some important guest.
28Such comments are insulting
to a sensitive person,
just like those of a lender
demanding payment of a loan.
Currently Selected:
Sirach 29: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
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