Study Desk

My son, if you have become a ^(C1)guarantor for your neighbor, Or have given a handshake for a stranger,

If you have been ensnared by the words of your mouth, Or caught by the words of your mouth,

Then do this, my son, and save yourself: Since you have come into the ^(F1)hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and be urgent with your neighbor to free yourself.

Give no ^(C1)sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids;

Save yourself like a gazelle from the hunter's hand, And like a ^(C1)bird from the hand of the fowler.

One who is a ^(C1)guarantor for a stranger will certainly suffer for it, But one who hates ^(F1)being a guarantor is secure.

A person lacking in ^(F1)sense ^(C1)shakes hands And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.

Take his garment when he becomes guarantor for a stranger; And for foreigners, seize a pledge from him.

The ^(C1)rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender's slave.

Do not be among those who ^(C1)shake hands, Among those who become guarantors for debts.

If you have nothing with which to repay, Why should he ^(C1)take your bed from under you?

^(C1)Take his garment when he becomes a guarantor for a stranger; And for a foreign woman seize a pledge from him.