Jul 23 - Sirach 29-30
Sirach
1He shows mercy who lends to his neighbor, for he keeps the commandments by strengthening him2Lend to your neighbor in his time of need, and receive it again from your neighbor in his time3Keep your word, and act faithfully with him, and then you will find whatever you need in every time4Many have treated a loan like found money, and they offered trouble to those who helped them5Until they receive, they kiss the hands of the giver, and they humble their voice in promises6But at the time of repayment, they will ask for more time, and they will speak annoying and complaining words, and they will make excuses for the time7Then, if he is able to repay, he will turn away. He will pay barely one half, and he will consider it as if he had found it8But if not, then he will defraud him of his money, and he will have him as an enemy without cause9And he will repay him with accusations and curses, and he will repay him with contempt, instead of with honor and kindness10Many have refused to lend, not because of wickedness, but because they were afraid to be defrauded without cause11Yet truly, be more steadfast toward the humble, and you should not delay in acts of mercy toward them12Assist the poor because of the commandment. And you should not send him away empty because of his dire need13Lose your money to your brother and your friend. For you should not hide it under a stone to be lost14Let your treasure be in the precepts of the Most High, and it will benefit you more than gold15Store your alms in the hearts of the poor, and it will obtain help for you against all evil16Better than the shield or the lance of a powerful man17it will fight for you against your enemy18A good man offers credit for the sake of his neighbor. But one who abandons him to himself will perish in shame19You should not forget the kindness of your benefactor. For he has offered his life on your behalf20The sinner and the unclean flee from such promises21A sinner attributes to himself the goods of his loan. And an ungrateful mind will abandon the one who has freed him22A man offers credit to his neighbor. But when he will have lost respect, he will abandon him23A wicked promise has destroyed many who had good intentions, and has tossed them like a wave on the ocean24It has caused powerful men to travel around, and they have wandered amid foreign nations25A sinner transgressing the commandment of the Lord will fall into a wicked promise. And he who undertakes many things will fall into judgment26Help your neighbor to recover according to your ability, but attend to yourself, lest you also fall27The primary need in a man’s life is water and bread, and clothing, and a house to protect modesty28A pauper’s food under a roof of boards is better than a splendid feast on a sojourn away from home29Let yourself be pleased with little instead of much, and you will not hear the reproach of being away from home30It is a wicked life to go from house to house as a guest. For wherever he is a guest, he will not act confidently, nor open his mouth31He will entertain, and feed, and give drink to the ungrateful, and beyond this, he will listen to bitter words32"Go, my guest, and set the table, and let others eat from what you have in your hand.33"Depart from the honored face of my friends. For it has become necessary for my house to host my brother instead.34These things are grievous to a man having understanding: to take advantage of a household, and to reproach a lender
1He who loves his son will frequently chastise him, so that he may be happy in the very end, and not grope for the doors of his neighbors2He who instructs his son will be praised over him and will glory in him, in the midst of his household3He who teaches his son will make his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends, he will glory in him4When his father has died, it will be as if he were not dead. For he will have left behind someone who is like himself5In his life, he saw him and rejoiced in him. And at his passing, he was not sorrowful, nor was he confounded in the sight of his enemies6For he left behind himself a defender of his house against his enemies, and someone who will repay his friends with kindness7For the sake of the souls of his sons, he will bind up his wounds, and at every voice, his gut will be stirred up8An untamed horse becomes stubborn, and a child left to himself becomes headstrong9Coddle a son, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will make you sorrowful10You should not laugh with him; otherwise you may have grief, and in the end, your teeth be clenched11You should not give him power in his youth, but you should not despise his thoughts12Bow down his neck in his youth, and slap his sides while he is a child, lest perhaps he may become stubborn, and then he will not trust you, and so he will bring sorrow to your soul13Instruct your son, and work with him, lest you give offense by his shameful behavior14Better is a healthy pauper with a strong constitution, than a wealthy man who is weak and afflicted by maladies15A healthy soul with the sanctity of justice is better than all the gold and silver. And a sound body is better than immense revenues16There is no revenue above the revenue of a healthy body. And there is no delight above a joyful heart17Death is better than a bitter life. And eternal rest is better than continual sickness18Good things hidden in a closed mouth are like seats at a feast placed around a grave19What benefit is there in an offering to an idol? For it can neither eat, nor smell20So is he who flees from the Lord, carrying the wages of his iniquity21He sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch who embraces a virgin and sighs22You should not give your soul to sadness, and you should not afflict yourself by your own counsel23The gladness of the heart is the life of a man, and it is a treasure of sanctity without defect. And the exultation of a man is length of life24Take pity on your own soul by pleasing God, and show self-restraint. Gather your heart into his sanctity, and drive sadness far away from yourself25For sadness has killed many, and there is no usefulness in it26Envy and anger will diminish your days, and pensiveness will bring old age before its time27A cheerful and good heart is like a feast. And its feasts are formed by diligence