Sirach 29 Commentary

“Many therefore have refused to lend for other men's ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded.”

Found it. Seeming to make thee partaker of his good fortune, (Jansenius) or he will keep the other half as his own. (Grotius)

“Help the poor for the commandment's sake, and turn him not away because of his poverty.”

Injuries. Thus one loses both money and friends. Must we then never lend? If the person be poor, we must be ready to give. (Calmet)

“Lay up thy treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold.”

And delay. Or literally, “and for an alms, drag him not along.” (Haydock) — Let not the fraud of many deter thee from assisting the poor, for the sake of God and justice. (Calmet) — Si fraudaris pecuniâ acquiris justitiam. (St. Ambrose, Tob. iii. n. 11.)

“Shut up alms in thy storehouses: and it shall deliver thee from all affliction.”

Commandment. Deuteronomy xv. 7. Else where is your merit?

“It shall fight for thee against thine enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear.”

Friend. He is entitled to partake of all thy goods. If he be only thy fellow-creature, assist him; and God will reward thee, Matthew vi. 19.

“Forget not the friendship of thy surety, for he hath given his life for thee.”

Heart. Greek, “thy store-houses,” the poor. (Calmet) — I never read that one who was liberal to the poor came to an evil death, as he has so many to intercede for him, whose prayers must be heard. (St. Jerome, ad Nepot.) — Works of mercy produce the best fruits. (Worthington)

“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.”

Himself. Yet he will not engage his word for more than he can pay, (ver. 27., and chap. viii. 16.) nor encourage the negligence of debtors, Proverbs vi. 1.

“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.”

Life. Or his subsistence, (chap. xix. 28.) though some answered for the person of another, 3 Kings xx. 39.

“Help thy neighbour according to thy power, and beware that thou thyself fall not into the same.”

And. Greek, “will turn away the goods of his surety, (21.) and the ungrateful in mind will abandon his redeemer.” (Haydock) — “All hate the ungrateful,” (Cicero, off. ii.) and the Persians punished such with death. (Xenophon, Cyr. i.) — Him. Greek subjoins ver. 23. (Haydock)

“Be it little or much, hold thee contented, that thou hear not the reproach of thy house.”

Estate, (dirigentes) whose affairs were prosperous. (Menochius) — Hence Solomon dissuades any rash engagements.

“Thou shalt entertain, and feast, and have no thanks: moreover thou shalt hear bitter words:”

Things. Tax-gatherers may deserve to fall into this misery. (Calmet)

“Come, thou stranger, and furnish a table, and feed me of that thou hast ready.”

Not. Prudence requires that we should not ruin ourselves to help others. (Worthington)

“Give place, thou stranger, to an honourable man; my brother cometh to be lodged, and I have need of mine house.”

Shame. Clothing is like a portable house. (Grotius) — Man stands in need of little, and those who are content will not need to borrow, ver. 29.

Shall. Or “has formerly entertained” those, who now reproach him, make him serve in the meanest offices, and at last cast him forth. It may also signify that people who receive ungrateful vagabonds, will be required to serve them, and had better keep them out, ver. 33. (Calmet) — Greek, “thou shalt entertain and give drink to the most disagreeable things.” (Haydock)

Others. Greek, “me.” (Menochius) — Travellers carried their provisions with them. (Calmet)

Give. Greek, “depart, stranger, from the face of glory; for,” &c. (Haydock)

Lender. Who demands his money, and upbraids his debtor. (Menochius)