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My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor,
    if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger,
you are trapped by the words of your mouth;
    you are ensnared with the words of your mouth.
Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself,
    since you have come into the hand of your neighbor.
Go, humble yourself.
    Press your plea with your neighbor.
Give no sleep to your eyes,
    nor slumber to your eyelids.
Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
    like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

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Warning Against Pledges

My son, if you put up a security for your friend,
    if you have shaken hands with a stranger,
you are snared with the words of your mouth;
    you are taken with the words of your mouth.
Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself;
    when you have come into the hand of your friend,
go and humble yourself;
    plead with your friend.
Give no sleep to your eyes,
    nor slumber to your eyelids.
Deliver yourself as a doe from the hand of the hunter,
    and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Read full chapter