Study Desk

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another,

if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth,

then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!

Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.

Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.

A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;

if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.