Sirach 29

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	Biblia Sagrada
1 He shows mercy who lends to his neighbor, for he keeps the commandments by strengthening him.	1 El que es misericordioso presta a su prójimo, | quien le brinda ayuda guarda los mandamientos.
2 Lend to your neighbor in his time of need, and receive it again from your neighbor in his time.	2 Presta a tu prójimo cuando pase necesidad, | y por tu parte restituye lo prestado a su debido tiempo.
3 Keep your word, and act faithfully with him, and then you will find whatever you need in every time.	3 Mantén tu palabra y sé leal con él, | y en toda ocasión encontrarás lo que necesitas.
4 Many have treated a loan like found money, and they offered trouble to those who helped them.	4 Muchos pretenden adueñarse de lo prestado | y ponen en dificultad a quienes los ayudaron.
5 Until they receive, they kiss the hands of the giver, and they humble their voice in promises.	5 Antes de recibir el préstamo, | besan las manos del prójimo | y humillan la voz para conseguir su dinero; | pero, a la hora de restituir, dan largas, | responden con evasivas | y echan la culpa a las circunstancias.
6 But at the time of repayment, they will ask for more time, and they will speak annoying and complaining words, and they will make excuses for the time.	6 Si consigue pagar, el otro recibirá apenas la mitad, | y aún lo considerará como una ganga. | En caso contrario, perderá su dinero, | y se habrá ganado sin necesidad un enemigo | que le devolverá maldiciones e insultos, | y en lugar de honor le devolverá desprecio.
7 Then, if he is able to repay, he will turn away. He will pay barely one half, and he will consider it as if he had found it.	7 Así que muchos se niegan a prestar dinero, no por maldad, | sino por miedo a que les despojen sin razón.
8 But if not, then he will defraud him of his money, and he will have him as an enemy without cause.	8 En cambio, sé generoso con el humilde, | y no le hagas esperar para darle limosna.
9 And he will repay him with accusations and curses, and he will repay him with contempt, instead of with honor and kindness.	9 Por amor a la ley, acoge al indigente, | y según su necesidad no lo despidas con las manos vacías.
10 Many have refused to lend, not because of wickedness, but because they were afraid to be defrauded without cause.	10 Por el hermano y el amigo gasta tu dinero, | que no se te oxide inútilmente bajo una piedra.
11 Yet truly, be more steadfast toward the humble, and you should not delay in acts of mercy toward them.	11 Utiliza tus bienes según los preceptos del Altísimo, | y te dará más provecho que el oro.
12 Assist the poor because of the commandment. And you should not send him away empty because of his dire need.	12 Almacena las limosnas en tus graneros, | y ellas te librarán de todo mal.
13 Lose your money to your brother and your friend. For you should not hide it under a stone to be lost.	13 Mejor que escudo recio o pesada lanza, | ellas combatirán por ti frente al enemigo.
14 Let your treasure be in the precepts of the Most High, and it will benefit you more than gold.	14 El hombre bueno sale fiador por su prójimo, | pero el que ha perdido la vergüenza, lo deja abandonado.
15 Store your alms in the hearts of the poor, and it will obtain help for you against all evil.	15 No olvides los favores de tu fiador, | pues él se ha expuesto por ti.
16 Better than the shield or the lance of a powerful man,	16 El pecador dilapida los bienes de su fiador, | y el ingrato no se acuerda de quien lo ha liberado.
17 it will fight for you against your enemy.	17 La fianza ha arruinado a mucha gente de bien, | los ha sacudido como las olas del mar.
18 A good man offers credit for the sake of his neighbor. But one who abandons him to himself will perish in shame.	18 Ha desterrado a hombres poderosos, | que anduvieron errantes por naciones extranjeras.
19 You should not forget the kindness of your benefactor. For he has offered his life on your behalf.	19 Cuando un pecador se apresura a dar fianza, | intentando especular, se enredará en pleitos.
20 The sinner and the unclean flee from such promises.	20 Ayuda al prójimo según tus recursos, | pero ten cuidado de no arruinarte.
21 A sinner attributes to himself the goods of his loan. And an ungrateful mind will abandon the one who has freed him.	21 Lo indispensable para vivir es agua, pan, vestido | y una casa para cobijarse.
22 A man offers credit to his neighbor. But when he will have lost respect, he will abandon him.	22 Más vale vida de pobre bajo techo de madera | que grandes banquetes en casa ajena.
23 A wicked promise has destroyed many who had good intentions, and has tossed them like a wave on the ocean.	23 En lo poco y en lo mucho pon buena cara, | y no escucharás reproches de la vecindad.
24 It has caused powerful men to travel around, and they have wandered amid foreign nations.	24 Triste vida andar de casa en casa: | no abrirás la boca donde seas un extraño.
25 A sinner transgressing the commandment of the Lord will fall into a wicked promise. And he who undertakes many things will fall into judgment.	25 Recibirás humillado hospedaje y bebida, | y encima tendrás que oír palabras hirientes:
26 Help your neighbor to recover according to your ability, but attend to yourself, lest you also fall.	26 «Pasa, forastero, pon la mesa, | si tienes algo a mano, dame de comer».
27 The primary need in a man’s life is water and bread, and clothing, and a house to protect modesty.	27 «Vete, forastero, cede el puesto a otro más importante, | mi hermano viene a hospedarse y necesito la casa».
28 A pauper’s food under a roof of boards is better than a splendid feast on a sojourn away from home.	28 Duro es esto para el que tiene sentimientos, | reproches del casero e insultos del prestamista.
29 Let yourself be pleased with little instead of much, and you will not hear the reproach of being away from home.
30 It is a wicked life to go from house to house as a guest. For wherever he is a guest, he will not act confidently, nor open his mouth.
31 He will entertain, and feed, and give drink to the ungrateful, and beyond this, he will listen to bitter words:
32 “Go, my guest, and set the table, and let others eat from what you have in your hand.”
33 “Depart from the honored face of my friends. For it has become necessary for my house to host my brother instead.”
34 These things are grievous to a man having understanding: to take advantage of a household, and to reproach a lender.