29:1 The merciful lend to their neighbor, by holding out a helping hand, they keep the commandments.
29:2 Lend to your neighbor in his time of need, and pay back your neighbor in time.
29:3 Keep your promise and be honest with him, and at all times you will find what you need.
29:4 Many borrowers ask for a loan and cause trouble for those who help them.
29:5 Till he gets a loan, he kisses the lender’s hand and speaks softly of his creditor’s money, But at time of payment, delays, makes excuses, and finds fault with the timing.
29:6 If he can pay, the lender will recover barely half, and will consider that a windfall. If he cannot pay, the lender is cheated of his money and acquires an enemy at no extra charge; With curses and insults the borrower will repay, and instead of honor will repay with abuse.
29:7 Many refuse to lend, not out of meanness, but from fear of being cheated needlessly.
29:8 But with those in humble circumstances be patient; do not keep them waiting for your alms.
29:9 Because of the commandment, help the poor, and in their need, do not send them away empty-handed.
29:10 Lose your money for relative or friend; do not hide it under a stone to rot.
29:11 Dispose of your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, and that will profit you more than the gold.
29:12 Store up almsgiving in your treasury, and it will save you from every evil.
29:13 Better than a mighty shield and a sturdy spear it will fight for you against the enemy.
29:14 A good person will be surety for a neighbor, but whoever has lost a sense of shame will fail him.
29:15 Do not forget the kindness of your backer, for he has given his very life for you.
29:16 A sinner will turn the favor of a pledge into misfortune,
29:17 and the ungrateful will abandon his rescuer.
29:18 Going surety has ruined many who were prosperous and tossed them about like waves of the sea; It has exiled the prominent and sent them wandering through foreign lands.
29:19 The sinner will come to grief through surety, and whoever undertakes too much will fall into lawsuits.
29:20 Help your neighbor according to your means, but take care lest you fall yourself.
29:21 Life’s prime needs are water, bread, and clothing, and also a house for decent privacy.
29:22 Better is the life of the poor under the shadow of their own roof than sumptuous banquets among strangers.
29:23 Whether little or much, be content with what you have: then you will hear no reproach as a parasite.
29:24 It is a miserable life to go from house to house, for where you are a guest you dare not open your mouth.
29:25 You will entertain and provide drink without being thanked; besides, you will hear these bitter words:
29:26 “Come here, you parasite, set the table, let me eat the food you have there!
29:27 Go away, you parasite, for one more worthy; for my relative’s visit I need the room!”
29:28 Painful things to a sensitive person are rebuke as a parasite and insults from creditors.
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