Hand. That is, he that is hearty and bountiful in lending to his neighbour in his necessity. (Challoner) --- Fœnus, in this book means simply "lending." (Rondet.) --- This is a work of mercy, and a sort of alms. Justice requires that the thing should be restored, and if any refuse on purpose, he is as bad as a thief. (Worthington) -- He who lends will receive usury from the Lord, Proverbs xix. 17., and Psalm xxxvi. 21. --- In hand. Rich.

Verse 2

Time. The neglect of this causes many to be unwilling to lend. (Calmet)

Verse 5

Hands. Like slaves. (Macrobius 1.) --- Others kiss the face, neck, &c., Acts xx. 37.

Verse 7

Found it. Seeming to make thee partaker of his good fortune, (Jansenius) or he will keep the other half as his own. (Grotius)

Verse 9

Injuries. Thus one loses both money and friends. Must we then never lend? If the person be poor, we must be ready to give. (Calmet)

Verse 11

And delay. Or literally, "and for an alms, drag him not along." (Haydock) --- Let not the fraud of many deter thee from assisting the poor, for the sake of God and justice. (Calmet) --- Si fraudaris pecunia acquiris justitiam. (St. Ambrose, Tob. iii. n. 11.)

Verse 12

Commandment. Deuteronomy xv. 7. Else where is your merit?

Verse 13

Friend. He is entitled to partake of all thy goods. If he be only thy fellow-creature, assist him; and God will reward thee, Matthew vi. 19.

Verse 15

Heart. Greek, "thy store-houses," the poor. (Calmet) --- I never read that one who was liberal to the poor came to an evil death, as he has so many to intercede for him, whose prayers must be heard. (St. Jerome, ad Nepot.) --- Works of mercy produce the best fruits. (Worthington)

Verse 18

Himself. Yet he will not engage his word for more than he can pay, (ver. 27., and chap. viii. 16.) nor encourage the negligence of debtors, Proverbs vi. 1.

Verse 19

Life. Or his subsistence, (chap. xix. 28.) though some answered for the person of another, 3 Kings xx. 39.

Verse 20

And. Greek, "will turn away the goods of his surety, (21.) and the ungrateful in mind will abandon his redeemer." (Haydock) --- "All hate the ungrateful," (Cicero, off. ii.) and the Persians punished such with death. (Xenophon, Cyr. i.) --- Him. Greek subjoins ver. 23. (Haydock)

Verse 23

Estate, (dirigentes) whose affairs were prosperous. (Menochius) --- Hence Solomon dissuades any rash engagements.

Verse 25

Things. Tax-gatherers may deserve to fall into this misery. (Calmet)

Verse 26

Not. Prudence requires that we should not ruin ourselves to help others. (Worthington)

Verse 27

Shame. Clothing is like a portable house. (Grotius) --- Man stands in need of little, and those who are content will not need to borrow, ver. 29.

Verse 30

CHAPTER XXIX.

Verse 31

Shall. Or "has formerly entertained" those, who now reproach him, make him serve in the meanest offices, and at last cast him forth. It may also signify that people who receive ungrateful vagabonds, will be required to serve them, and had better keep them out, ver. 33. (Calmet) --- Greek, "thou shalt entertain and give drink to the most disagreeable things." (Haydock)

Verse 32

Others. Greek, "me." (Menochius) --- Travellers carried their provisions with them. (Calmet)

Verse 33

Give. Greek, "depart, stranger, from the face of glory; for," &c. (Haydock)

Verse 34