Sirach 29

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	EL LIBRO DEL PUEBLO DE DIOS
1 He shows mercy who lends to his neighbor, for he keeps the commandments by strengthening him.	1 El que practica la misericordia presta a su prójimo, y el que acude en su ayuda observa 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 esté necesitado, y restitúyele a tu vez en el momento convenido.
3 Keep your word, and act faithfully with him, and then you will find whatever you need in every time.	3 Cumple tu palabra y sé leal con él, y encontrarás en todo momento lo que necesites.
4 Many have treated a loan like found money, and they offered trouble to those who helped them.	4 Muchos consideran el préstamo como una ganga y ponen en aprietos a quienes los han ayudado.
5 Until they receive, they kiss the hands of the giver, and they humble their voice in promises.	5 Hasta que reciben, besan las manos de la gente y hablan con humildad de las riquezas del prójimo, pero en el momento de restituir, piden prórroga, sólo devuelven con palabras quejumbrosas 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 llegan a pagar, el acreedor recibe apenas la mitad y tiene que aceptarlo como un favor. Si no, lo despojan de sus riquezas, y él se gana inútilmente un enemigo que le paga con maldiciones e insultos y le devuelve desprecio en vez de honrarlo.
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, muchos se niegan a prestar, no por maldad, sino por temor a ser despojados 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 Pero tú sé indulgente con el humilde y no le hagas esperar tu 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 Socorre al pobre para cumplir el mandamiento y, en su indigencia, 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 Pierde tu dinero por un hermano y un amigo: que no se herrumbre bajo una piedra y lo pierdas.
11 Yet truly, be more steadfast toward the humble, and you should not delay in acts of mercy toward them.	11 Deposita tu tesoro según los mandamientos del Altísimo y te reportará 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 que el tesoro encerrado en tus graneros sea la limosna, y ella te preservará 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 un fuerte escudo y una lanza pesada combatirá a tu favor 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 de bien sale fiador de su prójimo, pero el que perdió 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, porque él ha expuesto su vida 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 desagradecido abandona al que lo salvó.
17 it will fight for you against your enemy.	17 La fianza perdió a muchos que vivían prósperamente, los sacudió como una ola 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 obligó a expatriarse a hombres poderosos, que anduvieron fugitivos por países extraños.
19 You should not forget the kindness of your benefactor. For he has offered his life on your behalf.	19 El pecador que se ofrece como fiador y busca ventaja, se expone a ser procesado.
20 The sinner and the unclean flee from such promises.	20 Socorre a tu prójimo en la medida de 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 esencial para la vida es el agua, el pan, la ropa, y una casa para albergarse dignamente.
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 en una cabaña que comida exquisita 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 Conténtate con lo que tienes, sea poco o mucho, y no oirás que te reprochan por ser un extraño.
24 It has caused powerful men to travel around, and they have wandered amid foreign nations.	24 Triste vida es andar de casa en casa: donde eres un extraño, no puedes abrir la boca.
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 Sirves de comer y beber a gente desagradecida, y encima tienes que oír cosas amargas:
26 Help your neighbor to recover according to your ability, but attend to yourself, lest you also fall.	26 –Ven aquí, forastero, prepara la mesa, y 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 –»Deja el lugar para alguien 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 ¡Qué duro es para un hombre sensible que le reprochen la hospitalidad y le echen en cara una deuda!
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.