Sirach 29:4-6

Common English Bible

⁴ Many think of a loan as a windfall,
    and they have caused trouble
    for those who have helped them.
⁵ Until they receive the loan,
they will kiss the hands of those
who can help,
    and they will speak with deference
    about their neighbor’s money,
        but when it’s time for repayment,
        they will put it off,
        offer weak excuses,
        and say it is a bad time.
⁶ If they can repay, their creditors
will barely recover half the amount,
        and the creditors will consider
        that much a windfall;
    but if they can’t pay,
    they have defrauded their creditors
    of their money,
        and they have made enemies
        out of them needlessly.
They will repay their creditors
with curses and insults,
    and they will repay them with dishonor
    rather than glory.