Ben Sira 7:32-36
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
32 To the poor also extend your hand,
that your blessing may be complete.
33 Give your gift to all the living,
and do not withhold your kindness from the dead.[a]
34 Do not avoid those who weep,
but mourn with those who mourn.(A)
35 Do not hesitate to visit the sick,
because for such things you will be loved.(B)
36 In whatever you do, remember your last days,
and you will never sin.[b]
Footnotes
- 7:33 This seems to refer to the observances ordained toward the dead, that is, proper mourning and burial. Cf. 2 Sm 21:12–14; Tb 1:17–18; 12:12.
- 7:36 Never sin: because the last days of the sinner, it was presumed, would be troubled.
Ben Sira 29:8-13
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
8 But with those in humble circumstances be patient;
do not keep them waiting for your alms.
9 Because of the commandment, help the poor,
and in their need, do not send them away empty-handed.(A)
10 Lose your money for relative or friend;
do not hide it under a stone to rot.
11 Dispose of your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High,
and that will profit you more than the gold.(B)
12 [a]Store up almsgiving in your treasury,
and it will save you from every evil.
13 Better than a mighty shield and a sturdy spear
it will fight for you against the enemy.
Footnotes
- 29:12–13 In Ben Sira’s day, almsgiving and righteousness were practically identified.
Deuteronomy 15:7-11
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
7 (A)If one of your kindred is in need in any community in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor close your hand against your kin who is in need. 8 Instead, you shall freely open your hand and generously lend what suffices to meet that need.(B) 9 Be careful not to entertain the mean thought, “The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,” so that you would begrudge your kin who is in need and give nothing, and your kin would cry to the Lord against you and you would be held guilty.(C) 10 When you give, give generously and not with a stingy heart; for that, the Lord, your God, will bless you in all your works and undertakings. 11 The land will never lack for needy persons; that is why I command you: “Open your hand freely to your poor and to your needy kin in your land.”(D)
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Tobit 12:9
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
9 for almsgiving saves from death, and purges all sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life,(A)
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Daniel 4:24
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
24 Therefore, O king, may my advice be acceptable to you; atone for your sins by good deeds,[a] and for your misdeeds by kindness to the poor; then your contentment will be long lasting.”
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- 4:24 Good deeds: the Aramaic word ṣidqâ has the root meaning of “righteousness,” but in a late text such as this could mean “almsgiving.”
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.