Sirach 29:21
King James VersionSource notes
“The chief thing for life is water, and bread, and clothing, and an house to cover shame.”
Context
18Suretiship hath undone many of good estate, and shaken them as a wave of the sea: mighty men hath it driven from their houses, so that they wandered among strange nations.
19A wicked man transgressing the commandments of the Lord shall fall into suretiship: and he that undertaketh and followeth other men’s business for gain shall fall into suits.
20Help thy neighbour according to thy power, and beware that thou thyself fall not into the same.
21The chief thing for life is water, and bread, and clothing, and an house to cover shame.
22Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage, than delicate fare in another man’s house.
23Be it little or much, hold thee contented, that thou hear not the reproach of thy house.
24For it is a miserable life to go from house to house: for where thou art a stranger, thou darest not open thy mouth.