| 1. | He does a kindness who lends to his neighbor, and he fulfills the precepts who holds out a helping hand. |
| 2. | Lend to your neighbor in his hour of need, and pay back your neighbor when a loan falls due; |
| 3. | Keep your promise, be honest with him, and you will always come by what you need. |
| 4. | Many a man who asks for a loan adds to the burdens of those who help him; |
| 5. | When he borrows, he kisses the lender's hand and speaks with respect of his creditor's wealth; But when payment is due he disappoints him and says he is helpless to meet the claim. |
| 6. | If the lender is able to recover barely half, he considers this an achievement; If not, he is cheated of his wealth and acquires an enemy at no extra charge; With curses and insults the borrower pays him back, with abuse instead of honor. |
| 7. | Many refuse to lend, not out of meanness, but from fear of being cheated. |
| 8. | To a poor man, however, be generous; keep him not waiting for your alms; |
| 9. | Because of the precept, help the needy, and in their want, do not send them away empty-handed. |
| 10. | Spend your money for your brother and friend, and hide it not under a stone to perish; |
| 11. | Dispose of your treasure as the Most High commands, for that will profit you more than the gold. |
| 12. | Store up almsgiving in your treasure house, and it will save you from every evil; |
| 13. | Better than a stout shield and a sturdy spear it will fight for you against the foe. |
| 14. | A good man goes surety for his neighbor, and only the shameless would play him false; |
| 15. | Forget not the kindness of your backer, for he offers his very life for you. |
| 16. | The wicked turn a pledge on their behalf into misfortune, and the ingrate abandons his protector; |
| 17. | Going surety has ruined many prosperous men and tossed them about like waves of the sea, |
| 18. | Has exiled men of prominence and sent them wandering through foreign lands. |
| 19. | The sinner through surety comes to grief, and he who undertakes too much falls into lawsuits. |
| 20. | Go surety for your neighbor according to your means, but take care lest you fall thereby. |
| 21. | Life's prime needs are water, bread, and clothing, a house, too, for decent privacy. |
| 22. | Better a poor man's fare under the shadow of one's own roof than sumptuous banquets among strangers. |
| 23. | Be it little or much, be content with what you have, and pay no heed to him who would disparage your home; |
| 24. | A miserable life it is to go from house to house, for as a guest you dare not open your mouth. |
| 25. | The visitor has no thanks for filling the cups; besides, you will hear these bitter words: |
| 26. | "Come here, stranger, set the table, give me to eat the food you have! |
| 27. | Away, stranger, for one more worthy; for my brother's visit I need the room!" |
| 28. | Painful things to a sensitive man are abuse at home and insults from his creditors. |
