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Sirach / Chapter 29

Sirach 29

32 verses • Latin Vulgate (Jerome)

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Chapter 29 addresses three interconnected economic topics: lending and borrowing, standing surety for another's debt, and the obligations and indignities of hospitality when one is a stranger. The chapter urges generous lending while acknowledging the social friction it creates, warns sharply against over-extending oneself as a guarantor, and closes with a poignant meditation on the bitterness of depending on another's table.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The chapter provides an unusually detailed window into the social economics of Second Temple Judaism. The portrait of the borrower who repays with insults instead of money (vv. 4-7) is drawn from life, not theory. The closing section on the indignity of dependence (vv. 28-35) is among the most emotionally raw passages in Sirach -- the guest who is ordered about, told to leave the table, and made to feel his displacement. Ben Sira writes as one who knows these humiliations firsthand or has witnessed them closely.

Translation Friction

The pragmatic advice to lend cautiously and avoid surety sits in tension with the Torah's commands to lend freely (Deuteronomy 15:7-11). Ben Sira navigates this tension by recommending generosity but also advocating self-protection -- a realism that some may read as undermining the Torah's radical generosity. The stigma attached to depending on others for hospitality reflects ancient Mediterranean honor culture.

Connections

Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (open your hand to the poor); Exodus 22:25-27 (laws on lending); Proverbs 6:1-5 (dangers of surety); Proverbs 22:7 (the borrower is servant to the lender); Matthew 5:42 (give to the one who asks).

Sirach 29:1

Qui facit misericordiam fenerat proximo suo et qui praevalet manu mandata servat.

Whoever shows mercy lends to his neighbor, and whoever has strength of hand keeps the commandments.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

fenerat
"lends"

Fenerare can mean to lend at interest, but here the context is charitable lending -- extending resources to those in need.

Translator Notes

  1. Lending to the needy is framed as an act of mercy, not merely financial transaction -- it fulfills Torah.
Sirach 29:2

Fenera proximo tuo in tempore necessitatis illius et iterum redde proximo in tempore suo.

Lend to your neighbor in the time of his need, and likewise repay your neighbor when the time comes.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The reciprocity principle: as you would have others lend to you, so lend -- and as you would have them repay, so repay.
Sirach 29:3

Confirma verbum et fideliter age cum illo et in omni tempore invenies quod tibi necessarium est.

Keep your word and deal faithfully with him, and at all times you will find what you need.

Sirach 29:4

Multi quasi inventionem aestimaverunt fenus et praestiterunt molestiam his qui se adiuverunt.

Many treat a loan as a windfall and cause trouble for those who helped them.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The borrower's ingratitude: the loan is received as a gift and repayment is treated as an imposition.
Sirach 29:5

Donec accipiant osculantur manus dantis et in promissionibus humiliant vocem suam.

Until they receive, they kiss the hands of the giver, and in making promises they lower their voice.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The obsequious borrower -- humble and flattering until the money is in hand.
Sirach 29:6

Et in tempore redditionis postulabit tempus et reddet verba taedii et murmurationum et tempus causabitur.

But at the time of repayment, he will ask for more time and return words of complaint and grumbling, and he will blame the times.

Sirach 29:7

Si autem potuerit reddere adversabitur solidi vix reddet dimidium et conputabit illud quasi inventionem.

If he is able to repay, he will resist; he will hardly return half the amount, and he will count it as though it were a gift to the lender.

Sirach 29:8

Sin autem fraudabit illum pecunia sua et possidebit illum inimicum gratis.

But if not, he will defraud him of his money and will have made an enemy of him for nothing.

Sirach 29:9

Et convicia et maledicta reddet illi et pro honore et beneficio reddet illi contumeliam.

He will repay him with insults and curses, and instead of honor and kindness, he will return contempt.

Sirach 29:10

Multi non causa nequitiae non fenerati sunt sed fraudari gratis timuerunt.

Many refuse to lend, not from wickedness, but because they are afraid of being cheated for nothing.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. A sympathetic note: reluctance to lend is not always heartlessness but often bitter experience.
Sirach 29:11

Verumtamen super humilem animo fortior esto et pro elemosyna non trahas illum.

Nevertheless, be strong-hearted toward the lowly, and do not keep him waiting for your alms.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Despite the risks, generosity remains the command: do not let past injuries prevent present mercy.
Sirach 29:12

Propter mandatum adsume pauperem et propter inopiam eius ne dimittas eum vacuum.

For the sake of the commandment, assist the poor, and because of his need, do not send him away empty.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

propter mandatum
"for the sake of the commandment"

The Torah command to help the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-11) overrides prudential self-interest -- obedience trumps caution.

Sirach 29:13

Perde pecuniam propter fratrem et amicum et non abscondas illam sub lapide in perditionem.

Lose your money for the sake of a brother or a friend, and do not hide it under a stone to perish.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Better to lose money in generosity than to hoard it uselessly -- hidden wealth benefits no one and eventually decays.
Sirach 29:14

Pone thesaurum tuum in praeceptis Altissimi et proderit tibi magis quam aurum.

Store up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, and it will profit you more than gold.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The theological reframing: obedience to Torah is the best investment. This anticipates Jesus' instruction to 'store up treasures in heaven' (Matthew 6:20).
Sirach 29:15

Conclude elemosynam in corde pauperis et haec pro te exorabit ab omni malo.

Store up almsgiving in the heart of the poor, and it will intercede for you against all evil.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Alms placed in the poor person's heart become a prayer on the giver's behalf -- charity creates spiritual advocates.
Sirach 29:16

Super scutum potentis et super lanceam adversus inimicum tuum pugnabit.

Better than a mighty shield and a lance, it will fight against your enemy for you.

Sirach 29:17

Vir bonus fidem facit pro proximo suo et qui perdiderit confusionem derelinquet sibi.

A good person stands surety for his neighbor, but whoever has lost all shame abandons him.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Surety (guaranteeing another's debt) is presented as a moral obligation for the good person, though the risks are severe.
Sirach 29:18

Benefacta fideiussoris ne obliviscaris dedit enim pro te animam suam.

Do not forget the kindness of your guarantor, for he has given his life for you.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

animam suam
"his life"

Standing surety is a form of self-offering: the guarantor pledges his own existence as collateral for another's debt.

Translator Notes

  1. The guarantor risks his own livelihood -- his act of surety is described with the language of self-sacrifice.
Sirach 29:19

Bona fideiussoris subvertit peccator et ingratus sensu derelinquet liberantem se.

A sinner overturns the good fortune of his guarantor, and the ungrateful person in his mind abandons the one who rescued him.

Sirach 29:20

Vir repromittit de proximo suo et cum perdiderit reverentiam derelinquetur ab eo.

A person makes promises on behalf of his neighbor, but when he has lost all sense of honor, he is abandoned by him.

Sirach 29:21

Repromissio nequissima multos perdidit dirigentes et commovit illos quasi fluctus maris.

Wicked surety has ruined many prosperous persons and tossed them about like waves of the sea.

Sirach 29:22

Viros potentes gyrans migrare fecit et vagati sunt in gentibus alienis.

It has driven powerful men from their homes and caused them to wander among foreign nations.

Sirach 29:23

Peccator transgrediens mandatum Domini incidet in promissionem nequam et qui conatur multa agere incidet in iudicium.

A sinner who transgresses the commandment of the Lord will fall into a wicked pledge, and whoever attempts many ventures will fall into judgment.

Sirach 29:24

Recupera proximum secundum virtutem tuam et adtende tibi ne incidas.

Help your neighbor according to your ability, but take care that you do not fall yourself.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The balanced counsel: generosity within limits. Help others, but do not destroy yourself in the process.
Sirach 29:25

Initium vitae hominis aqua et panis et vestimentum et domus protegens turpitudinem.

The beginning of life for a person is water and bread, and clothing, and a house that covers his nakedness.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. A list of fundamental human needs: water, bread, clothing, shelter. These are the irreducible minimum of human dignity.
Sirach 29:26

Melior est victus pauperis sub tegmine asserum quam epulae splendidae in peregre sine domicilio.

Better is the life of a poor person under a roof of planks than splendid feasts abroad without a home.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The value of having one's own roof, however humble, over the humiliation of depending on others' hospitality.
Sirach 29:27

Minimum pro magno placeat tibi et inproperium peregrinationis non audies.

Be content with little as with much, and you will not hear the reproach of being a sojourner.

Sirach 29:28

Vita nequam hospitandi de domo in domum et ubi hospitabitur non fiducialiter aget nec aperiet os.

It is a miserable life going from house to house as a guest, and where he lodges he will not act boldly or open his mouth.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The indignity of dependence: the perpetual guest must be silent and grateful, never at ease.
Sirach 29:29

Hospitabitur et pascet et potabit ingratos et ad haec amara audiet.

He will provide lodging and food and drink to ungrateful people, and in addition he will hear bitter things.

Sirach 29:30

Transi hospes et orna mensam et quae in manu habes ciba ceteros.

'Come here, stranger, set the table and feed the others with what you have in hand.'

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The voice of the host barking orders: the guest is made to serve, not served -- a complete inversion of hospitality.
Sirach 29:31

Exi a facie honoris amicorum meorum necessitudine domus meae hospitio mihi factus est frater.

'Get out of the way for the honor of my friends; because of my household's need, my guest has become like a brother to me' -- meaning a servant.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Bitter irony: the host calls the guest 'brother' but treats him as a household laborer.
Sirach 29:32

Gravia haec homini habenti sensum correptio domus et inproperium feneratoris.

These are heavy things for a person of understanding: the rebuke of the household and the reproach of the creditor.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The chapter's closing note: for a person of intelligence and dignity, these humiliations are unbearable.
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