Proverbs 6:1–5

Of Various Sins against the Second Table.

WARNING AGAINST FOOLISH SURETYSHIP, IDLENESS, AND MALICE. — V. 1. My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, pledging himself or giving security for the debts of another, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, giving his hand to any neighbor in need, to any debtor as a sign of binding oneself for his debts, Job 17, 3, v. 2. thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, or, “if thou art entangled with the sayings of thy mouth,” thou art taken, held captive, with the words of thy mouth, held to his promise, this referring to the situation arising when the debtor finds himself unable to meet his obligations. V. 3. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, tearing himself loose from the entanglement, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend, or, “since thou hast come into the hand of thy neighbor,” this being the unfortunate consequence of the pledge lightly given.

Go, humble thyself, rather, “stamp with thy foot,” in an emphatic demand, and make sure thy friend, importuning him with great earnestness to fulfill his obligations, to tend to the payment of the debt before it is too late. V. 4. Give not sleep to thine eyes nor slumber to thine eyelids, the most strenuous, ceaseless endeavors being demanded by the situation.

V. 5. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, literally, “from his,” the debtor’s, “hand,” bending every effort, with anxiety and exertion, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. Prompt and energetic action will be necessary to avoid serious trouble.