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Standing Surety for Others Can Lead to Ruin[a]

14 A good man will stand surety for his neighbor;
    only a shameless wretch would let him down.
15 Do not forget the kindness of your benefactor
    for he has staked his very life for you.
16 A sinner wastes the property of his benefactor;

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Footnotes

  1. Wisdom of Ben Sira 29:14 The author issues a rather obvious requirement—to be loyal to those who stand surety for one. Alas, the moralist must often recall what he had given, and on this subject, the Book of Proverbs (Prov 6:1-5) was even more mistrustful.