Chapter 29

29. He that shews mercy will lend to his neighbour, and he that strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments, for lend to your neighbour in time of need, and pay your neighbour again in due time, and keep your word, and deal faithfully with him, and you shall always find the thing that is necessary for you. Many have accounted a loan as a thing found, and put them to a trouble that helped them, till they receive again, they will kiss the hands of the lender, and for his neighbor's money they will make humble entreaty, but when they should repay, they will prolong the time, and return words of grief, and complain of the time, and if he be able to pay, he shall hardly bring it, and he shall take it with a sigh, and repay it with a frown, and for his sake many have refused to lend, not because of any wickedness, but for the sake of the deceit. Yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to shew him mercy, for help the poor for the commandment's sake, and turn not away your face from him, and lose not thy money for thy brother and thy friend, for it shall not rust under a stone, but lay up thy treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and it shall profit thee more than gold, for shut up alms in thy storehouses, and it shall deliver thee from all affliction. It shall fight for thee against thine enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear, and a good man will surety for his neighbour, but he that is impudent will forsake him. Forget not the friendship of thy surety, for he has given his life for thee, and a sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety, and he that is without grace will forsake him, for a sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety, and he that is without grace will forsake him. Surety has undone many of good estate, and shaken them as a wave of the sea; mighty men have been driven from their houses, and wandered among strange nations, for the wicked is punished for the surety of the ungodly, and he that follows after riches shall have enough. Help your neighbour according to your ability, and beware that you fall not into these things; the chief thing for life is water, bread, and clothing, and a house to cover shame. Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage, than delicate fare in another man's house, for be it little or much, hold thee contented, that you hear not the reproach of the house. It is a miserable life to go from house to house, for where you are a guest, you shall not dare to open your mouth, and you shall be called a stranger, and be put to shame. You shall hear bitter things, and be blamed for every fault, and you shall have to seek a favour, and you shall be reproached, and you shall be blamed, and you shall be put to shame, for the Lord will visit thee with a scourge, and will not spare you. These things are grievous to him that has feeling: the reproof of the house, and the reviling of the neighbour, and a gift of the envious consumes the eyes.