Sirach 29:1-13

Common English Bible

29 Those who show compassion
will lend to a neighbor,
    and those who lend a helping hand
    keep the commandments.
² Lend to neighbors in their time of need,
    and pay your neighbor back again
    on time.
³ Keep your word,
and be trustworthy in your dealings,
    and you will find what you need
    every time.
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.
⁷ Many have refused to make a loan,
not because they were vicious
    but because they were cautious
    about being needlessly cheated.