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[1] He that is merciful will lend unto his neighbour; and he that strengtheneth his hand keepeth the commandments.
[2] Lend 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] Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put 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 as 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 for the commandment's sake, and turn him not away because of his poverty.
[10] Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend, and let it not rust under a stone to be lost.
[11] Lay up thy treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold.
[12] Shut up alms in thy storehouses: and it shall deliver thee from all affliction.
[13] It 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 forsake him.
[15] Forget not the friendship of thy surety, for he hath given his 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] Suretiship hath undone many of good estate, and shaken 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 chief thing for life is water, and bread, and clothing, and an 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] Be 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] Come, thou stranger, and furnish a table, and feed me of that thou hast ready.
[27] Give 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; the upbraiding of houseroom, and reproaching of the lender.
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