Study Desk

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

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

then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go, humble yourself^(a), and press your plea with your neighbor.

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

Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter^(a), like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!

Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.