Proverbs 20:16
New International Version
Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

New Living Translation
Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.

English Standard Version
Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

Berean Standard Bible
Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.

King James Bible
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

New King James Version
Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.

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

NASB 1995
Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.

NASB 1977
Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.

Legacy Standard Bible
Take his garment when he becomes a guarantor for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.

Amplified Bible
[The judge tells the creditor], “Take the clothes of one who is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [when he guarantees a loan] for foreigners.”

Christian Standard Bible
Take his garment, for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Take his garment, for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.

American Standard Version
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for foreigners.

Contemporary English Version
You deserve to lose your coat if you loan it to someone to guarantee payment for the debt of a stranger.

English Revised Version
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for strangers.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Hold on to the garment of one who guarantees a stranger's loan, and hold responsible the person who makes a loan on behalf of a foreigner.

Good News Translation
Anyone stupid enough to promise to be responsible for a stranger's debts ought to have their own property held to guarantee payment.

International Standard Version
Take the garment of anyone who puts up collateral for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for an unfamiliar woman.

Majority Standard Bible
Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.

NET Bible
Take a man's garment when he has given security for a stranger, and when he gives surety for strangers, hold him in pledge.

New Heart English Bible
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.

Webster's Bible Translation
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

World English Bible
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
When a stranger has been guarantor, take his garment, "" And pledge it for strangers.

Young's Literal Translation
Take his garment when a stranger hath been surety, And for strangers pledge it.

Smith's Literal Translation
Take his garment that became surety for a stranger: and bind him by a pledge for strange women.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Take away the vestments of him who stands up to vouch for a stranger, and take a pledge from him instead of from outsiders.

New American Bible
Take the garment of the one who became surety for a stranger; if for foreigners, exact the pledge!

New Revised Standard Version
Take the garment of one who has given surety for a stranger; seize the pledge given as surety for foreigners.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger; and take his pledge for the sake of a stranger.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Take the cloak of one that pledges security for a foreigner, and for the sake of foreigners take his pledge.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wine is a Mocker
15There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure. 16Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner. 17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.…

Cross References
Proverbs 27:13
Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.

Exodus 22:26-27
If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, / because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Luke 6:34-35
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. / But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Proverbs 6:1-5
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, and press your plea with your neighbor. ...

Proverbs 11:15
He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.

Proverbs 17:18
A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

Proverbs 22:26-27
Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts. / If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

Job 22:6
For you needlessly demanded security from your brothers and deprived the naked of their clothing.

Nehemiah 5:3-5
Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” / Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. / We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

Matthew 25:14-30
For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...

Luke 19:12-27
So He said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship and then return. / Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said. / But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ ...

2 Kings 4:1-7
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” / “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” / “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. ...

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.


Treasury of Scripture

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

take his

Proverbs 11:15
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

Proverbs 22:26,27
Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts…

Proverbs 27:13
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

strange

Proverbs 2:16
To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

Proverbs 5:3
For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

Proverbs 7:5,10
That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words…

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Alien Clothing Collateral Foreigners Garment Gives Hold Makes Pledge Puts Responsible Security Strange Stranger Surety Undertaking Wayward
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Alien Clothing Collateral Foreigners Garment Gives Hold Makes Pledge Puts Responsible Security Strange Stranger Surety Undertaking Wayward
Proverbs 20
1. Proper Living














Take the garment
In ancient times, a person's garment was not just clothing but a symbol of their identity and social status. The Hebrew word for "garment" here is "beged," which can also imply treachery or deceit, suggesting that taking someone's garment is a serious action, often associated with a breach of trust. This phrase underscores the gravity of the situation when someone foolishly guarantees a stranger's debt, risking their own security.

of the one who posts security
The act of posting security, or "arav" in Hebrew, involves a pledge or guarantee. In the biblical context, this was a significant commitment, often involving personal risk. The wisdom literature of Proverbs frequently warns against such actions, emphasizing the importance of prudence and caution in financial dealings. This phrase serves as a cautionary reminder of the potential consequences of rash promises.

for a stranger
The term "stranger" here, "zar" in Hebrew, refers to someone outside one's immediate community or family. In ancient Israel, community bonds were strong, and dealing with outsiders required extra caution. This phrase highlights the increased risk and potential for misunderstanding or deceit when engaging in financial transactions with those who are not well-known or trusted.

get collateral
The concept of collateral, or "arabah" in Hebrew, is a safeguard against loss. In biblical times, collateral was a tangible assurance that a debt would be repaid. This phrase advises wisdom and foresight, encouraging individuals to protect themselves from potential financial harm by securing a guarantee.

if it is for a foreigner
The word "foreigner," or "nokri" in Hebrew, denotes someone from a different nation or culture. In the context of ancient Israel, foreigners were often viewed with suspicion due to differing customs and potential language barriers. This phrase reinforces the need for vigilance and discernment when entering into agreements with those who may not share the same values or legal systems.

(16) Take his garment that is surety for a stranger.--Another warning against suretiship. (See above on Proverbs 6:1.) If a man is rash enough to become surety for another, he must suffer for his imprudence, and learn wisdom by feeling the effects of his folly.

And take a pledge of him for a strange woman.--Rather, take him as a pledge (seize upon his person who has become surety) for a strange woman, (according to the margin) or, for strangers (as the text reads).

Verse 16. - Take his garment that is surety for a stranger. The maxim is repeated in Proverbs 27:13; and warnings against suretyship are found in Proverbs 6:1, etc.; Proverbs 11:15; 17:18; 22:26, etc. The second portion of the clause is translated also, "For he is surety for another." If a man is so weak and foolish as to become security for any one, and is unable to make good his engaged payment, let him lose his garment which the creditor would seize; his imprudence must bring its own punishment. And take a pledge of him for a strange woman. The Authorized Version probably adopts this rendering in conformity with Proverbs 27:13, where it occurs in the text, as here in the margin (the Keri). But the Khetib has, "for strangers," which seems to be the original reading; and the first words ought to be translated, "hold him in pledge;" i.e. seize his person for the sake of the strangers for whom he has stood security, so as not to suffer loss from them. The Law endeavoured to secure lending to needy brethren without interest (see Psalm 15:5; Ezekiel 18:8, 13, etc.; Ezekiel 22:12): but it allowed the creditor to secure himself by taking pledges of his debtor, while it regulated this system so as to obviate most of its severity and oppressiveness (see the restrictions in Exodus 22:26, etc.; Deuteronomy 24:6, 12, etc.). "Where the debtor possessed nothing which he could pledge, he gave the personal security of a friend. This was a very formal proceeding. The surety gave his hand both to the debtor and to the creditor before an assembly legally convened, he deposited a pledge, and, in accordance with this twofold promise, was regarded by the creditor in just the same light as the debtor himself, and treated accordingly. If the debtor, or in his place the surety, was unable to pay the debt when it fell due, he was entirely at the mercy of the creditor. The authorities troubled themselves but little about these relations, and the law, so far as it is preserved to us, gave no directions in the matter. We see, however, from many allusions and narratives, what harsh forms these relations actually took, especially in later times, when the ancient national brotherly love which the Law presupposed was more and more dying out. The creditor could not only forcibly appropriate all the movable, but also the fixed property, including the hereditary estate (this at least till its redemption in the year of jubilee), nay, he could even (if he could find nothing else of value) carry off as a prisoner the body of his debtor, or of his wife and child, to employ them in his service, though this could only he done for a definite period" (Ewald, 'Antiquities,' p. 184, etc., transl.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Take
לְֽקַח־ (lə·qaḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

the garment
בִּ֭גְדוֹ (biḡ·ḏōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

of the one
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

who posts security
עָ֣רַב (‘ā·raḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6148: To braid, intermix, technically, to traffic, give to be security

for a stranger;
זָ֑ר (zār)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2114: To turn aside, to be a, foreigner, strange, profane, to commit adultery

get collateral
חַבְלֵֽהוּ׃ (ḥaḇ·lê·hū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2254: To wind tightly, to bind, a pledge, to pervert, destroy, to writhe in pain

if it is for
וּבְעַ֖ד (ū·ḇə·‘aḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

a wayward woman.
נָכְרִיָּ֣ה (nā·ḵə·rî·yāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 5237: Foreign, alien


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:16 Take the garment of one who puts (Prov. Pro Pr)
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