XXIX. aHe that is merciful will lend unto his neighbour;

And he that strengtheneth his hand bkeepeth the commandments.

2  aLend to thy neighbour in time of his need,

And pay thou thy neighbour again in due season.

3  Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him,

And thou shalt always find the thing that is necessary for thee.

4  cMany, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it dto be found,

And eput them to trouble that helped them.

5  Till he hath received, he will kiss a man’s hand;

And for his neighbour’s money he will speak submissly:

But when he should repay, he will prolong the time,

And return words of grief,

And complain of the time.

6  * If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half,

And he will count das if he had found it:

If not, he hath deprived him of his money,

And he hath gotten him an enemy without cause:

He payeth him with cursings and railings;

And for honour he will pay him disgrace.

7  Many therefore have refused to lend for other men’s ill dealing,

Fearing to be defrauded.

8  Yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate,

And delay not to shew him mercy.

9  Help the poor ffor the commandment’s sake,

And turn him not away because of his poverty.

10  Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend,

And glet it not rust under a stone to be lost.

11  hLay up thy treasure iaccording to the commandments of the most High,

And jit shall bring thee more profit than gold.

12  kShut up alms in thy lstorehouses:

And it shall deliver thee from all affliction.

13  mIt shall fight for thee against thine enemies

Better than a mighty shield and strong spear.

14  An honest man is surety for his neighbour:

But he that is impudent will * nforsake him.

15  Forget not the friendship of thy surety,

For he hath given ohis life for thee.

16  A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety:

17  And he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him in danger that delivered him.

18  pSuretiship hath undone many of good estate,

And shaked them as a wave of the sea:

Mighty men hath it driven from their houses,

So that they wandered among strange nations.

19  A wicked man transgressing the commandments of the Lord shall fall into suretiship:

And he that undertaketh and followeth other men’s business for gain shall fall into suits.

20  Help thy neighbour according to thy power,

And beware that thou thyself fall not into the same.

21  The qchief thing for life is water, and rbread,

And clothing, and a house to cover shame.

22  Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage,

Than delicate fare in another man’s house.

23  rBe it little or much, hold thee contented,

That thou hear not the reproach of thy house.

24  For it is a miserable life to go from house to house:

For where thou art a stranger, thou darest not open thy mouth.

25  Thou shalt entertain, and feast, and have no thanks:

Moreover, thou shalt hear bitter words:

26  sCome, thou stranger, and furnish a table,

And feed me of that thou hast ready.

27  tGive place, thou stranger, to an honourable man;

My brother cometh to be lodged, and I have need of mine house.

28  These things are grievous to a man of understanding;

uThe upbraiding of houseroom, and xreproaching of the lender.