Contemporary English Version Loans 1 Obey God's Law about helping your neighbors; have mercy and lend them money when they truly need it. 2If others lend you money, pay them back, and don't be late! 3If you keep your promises to pay what you owe, others will be glad to lend you what you need. 4Many think what they borrow is theirs to keep, and this causes trouble when others try to help them. 5Those who lend money are treated with great respect until the time comes for loans to be repaid. Then all they get are excuses and stories of hard times. 6Sometimes they feel lucky to get back half of the money they lent. And instead of respect, a lender often gets nothing but curses and angry words from a borrower who is robbing the lender by not paying back the loan. 7That's why many refuse to lend; they do care about others, but they have no desire to be cheated. Give Generously to the Poor 8However, give to the poor; be quick and generous. 9Obey the Lord's command-- don't refuse to help when people are in need. 10Give away your silver to a brother or a friend; don't hide it under a rock, where it will rust. 11Give your gold to the needy as God Most High commands, and you will be better off than if you had kept it. 12Your gifts to the poor are a treasure that will rescue you when trouble comes, 13and they give better protection than the strongest shields and spears. Guaranteeing a Loan for a Friend 14When a friend needs a loan, a good person will guarantee that the loan will be repaid. To refuse to help this friend would be a disgrace. 15And remember--if friends have helped you this way, they have risked all they own to be kind * 16and rescue you. So if they are forced to repay what you borrowed, 17you are not only ungrateful, you are a sinner. 18People of wealth and power have often become poor and homeless, drifting from place to place in foreign countries, their wealth taken in payment for loans they guaranteed. 19Sinners want to make big profits from guaranteed loans, but they may get only trouble and lawsuits in court. 20Be careful! There is danger when you guarantee a loan, but you have to help a friend as much as you can. Your Own Home Is Best 21Life's most important things are water, food, clothing, and a home that gives you some privacy. 22It is better to be poor in your own home, than to live with others and be treated to banquets. 23Be content with what you have, because you will be insulted if you live off others. 24You will always be miserable and will not dare say a word, if you have to depend on others for food and a place to sleep. 25You will become their servant, and instead of thanking you, they will say, 26"Stranger, set the table!" Or, "I'm still hungry-- give me your food." 27Finally they will tell you to leave so they can give your room to a relative or some important guest. 28Such comments are insulting to a sensitive person, just like those of a lender demanding payment of a loan. Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®) © 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Contemporary English Version 2nd Edition (CEV®) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). Learn more at www.cev.bible. Discover .BIBLE resources for your ministry at www.get.bible/cev. |