Study Desk

My son, if thou have become surety for thy neighbour, - have struck for a stranger thy hands,

Thou hast been snared by the sayings of thy mouth, - thou hast been caught by the sayings of thy mouth.

Do this then, my son, and deliver thyself, When thou hast come into the hand of thy neighbour, Go, haste thee, and urge thy neighbour;

Do not give sleep to thine eyes, or slumber to thine eyelashes;

Deliver thyself, as a gazelle out of the hand, and as a bird, out of the hand of the fowler.

He that becometh surety for a stranger, goeth to utter ruin, but, he that hateth striking hands, is secure.

A man lacking sense, is one who striketh hands, giving security, before his neighbour.

Take his garment who is pledge for a stranger, - then, for a woman unknown, accept him as surety.

Be not of them who strike hands, of them who are sureties for debts:

If thou hast nothing to pay, why should one take away thy bed from under thee?