1 My son, don’t deprive the poor of his living. Don’t make the needy eyes wait long. (WEB) 2 Don’t make a hungry soul sorrowful, or provoke a man in his distress. (WEB) 3 Don’t add more trouble to a heart that is provoked. Don’t put off giving to him who is in need. (WEB)
Sirach 4:1–3
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 29:7–9
7 Many on account of fraud have turned away. They are afraid of being defrauded for nothing. (WEB) 8 However be patient with a man in poor estate. Don’t keep him waiting for your alms. (WEB) 9 Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake. According to his need don’t send him empty… (WEB)
Proverbs 3:26–28
26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare. 27 Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. 28 Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”— when you already have the means.
Proverbs 22:21–23
21 to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you? 22 Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, 23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
Sirach 18:14–16
14 He has mercy on those who accept chastening, and that diligently seek after his judgments. (WEB) 15 My son, don’t add reproach to your good deeds, and no harsh words in any of your giving. (WEB) 16 Doesn’t the dew relieve the scorching heat? So a word is better than a gift. (WEB)
Psalms 74:18–20
18 Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name. 19 Do not deliver the soul of Your dove to beasts; do not forget the lives of Your afflicted forever. 20 Consider Your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of…
Proverbs 23:5–7
5 When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky. 6 Do not eat the bread of a stingy man, and do not crave his delicacies; 7 for he is keeping track, inwardly counting the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to y…
Sirach 4:7–9
7 Endear yourself to the assembly. Bow your head to a great man. (WEB) 8 Incline your ear to a poor man. Answer him with peaceful words in humility. (WEB) 9 Deliver him who is wronged from the hand of him who wrongs him; Don’t be hesitant in giving judgment. (WEB)
Sirach 31:30–31
30 Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool to his hurt. It diminishes strength and adds wounds. (WEB) 31 Don’t rebuke your neighbor at a banquet of wine. Don’t despise him in his mirth. Don’t speak a word of reproach to him. Don’t distress him by making demands of him. (WEB)
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