Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach 29:8-22 Common English Bible (CEB)

8. Even so, be patient with thosein humble circumstances,and don’t make them wait for assistance.

9. Help the needy for thecommandment’s sake,and in proportion to their needdon’t turn them away empty-handed.

10. Part with silver for a relative’sor friend’s sake,and don’t let it corrode under a stoneand be destroyed.

11. Invest your treasureaccording to the commandmentsof the Most High,and it will profit you more than gold.

12. Store up acts of charity in your treasuries,and it will deliver youfrom every distress.

13. More than a sturdy shieldand more than a hefty spear,it will fight for you against an enemy.

14. Good people will guarantee a loanfor neighbors,and those who have lost anysense of shame will abandon them.

15. Don’t forget the kindness of thosewho have guaranteed a loan,since they gave their lifeon your behalf.

16. Sinners will ruintheir guarantor’s property,

17. and ungrateful personsintentionally abandon their rescuers.

18. Guaranteeing a loanhas ruined many prosperous peopleand tossed them aboutlike a wave on the sea.It has led to the exile of the powerful,and they have wanderedamong foreign nations.

19. Sinners will fall into guaranteeing loans,and when they chase profits,they will fall into lawsuits.

20. Help your neighbor as much as you can,but keep yourself from ruin.

21. Life’s foundations are water,bread, clothing,and a house for ensuring privacy.

22. Better is the life of the poorunder a shelter of raftersthan magnificent foodin foreign countries.

Read complete chapter Sirach 29