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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.

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Wise advice

My son, if you guarantee a loan for your neighbor
    or shake hands in agreement with a stranger,
    you will be trapped by your words;
    you will be caught by your words.
Do this, my son, to get out of it,
    for you have come under the control of your neighbor.
    So go, humble yourself,[a] and pester your neighbor.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 6:3 Heb uncertain

18 A man void of understanding strikes hands,
    and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.

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18 One with no sense shakes hands on a deal,
    securing a loan for a friend.

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16 Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger;
    and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.

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16 Take the garment of the person who secures a loan for a stranger;
    take his pledge for a foreigner.

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The rich rule over the poor.
    The borrower is servant to the lender.

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The wealthy rule over the poor;
    a borrower is a slave to a lender.

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13 Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger.
    Hold it for a wayward woman!

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13 Take the garment of the person who secures a loan for a stranger;
    take his pledge for a foreigner.

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26 Don’t you be one of those who strike hands,
    of those who are collateral for debts.
27 If you don’t have means to pay,
    why should he take away your bed from under you?

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26 Don’t shake hands to guarantee a loan.
27 If you can’t repay,
    why should they be able to take your bed from you?

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