On Lending and Borrowing

1The merciful lend to their neighbours;

by holding out a helping hand they keep the commandments.

2Lend to your neighbour in his time of need;

repay your neighbour when a loan falls due.

3Keep your promise and be honest with him,

and on every occasion you will find what you need.

4Many regard a loan as a windfall,

and cause trouble to those who help them.

5One kisses another's hands until he gets a loan,

and is deferential in speaking of his neighbour's money;

but at the time for repayment he delays,

and pays back with empty promises,

and finds fault with the time.

6If he can pay, his creditor29.6 Gk he will hardly get back half,

and will regard that as a windfall.

If he cannot pay, the borrower29.6 Gk he has robbed the other of his money,

and he has needlessly made him an enemy;

he will repay him with curses and reproaches,

and instead of glory will repay him with dishonour.

7Many refuse to lend, not because of meanness,

but from fear29.7 Other ancient authorities read many refuse to lend, therefore, because of such meanness; they are afraid of being defrauded needlessly.

8Nevertheless, be patient with someone in humble circumstances,

and do not keep him waiting for your alms.

9Help the poor for the commandment's sake,

and in their need do not send them away empty-handed.

10Lose your silver for the sake of a brother or a friend,

and do not let it rust under a stone and be lost.

11Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High,

and it will profit you more than gold.

12Store up almsgiving in your treasury,

and it will rescue you from every disaster;

13better than a stout shield and a sturdy spear,

it will fight for you against the enemy.

On Guaranteeing Debts

14A good person will be surety for his neighbour,

but one who has lost all sense of shame will fail him.

15Do not forget the kindness of your guarantor,

for he has given his life for you.

16A sinner wastes the property of his guarantor,

17and the ungrateful person abandons his rescuer.

18Being surety has ruined many who were prosperous,

and has tossed them about like waves of the sea;

it has driven the influential into exile,

and they have wandered among foreign nations.

19The sinner comes to grief through surety;

his pursuit of gain involves him in lawsuits.

20Assist your neighbour to the best of your ability,

but be careful not to fall yourself.

Home and Hospitality

21The necessities of life are water, bread, and clothing,

and also a house to assure privacy.

22Better is the life of the poor under their own crude roof

than sumptuous food in the house of others.

23Be content with little or much,

and you will hear no reproach for being a guest.29.23 Lat: Gk reproach from your family; other ancient authorities lack this line

24It is a miserable life to go from house to house;

as a guest you should not open your mouth;

25you will play the host and provide drink without being thanked,

and besides this you will hear rude words like these:

26‘Come here, stranger, prepare the table;

let me eat what you have there.’

27‘Be off, stranger, for an honoured guest is here;

my brother has come for a visit, and I need the guest-room.’

28It is hard for a sensitive person to bear

scolding about lodging29.28 Or scolding from the household and the insults of the moneylender.