61 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
61 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
61 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger,
61 Dear friend, if you've gone into hock with your neighbor or locked yourself into a deal with a stranger,
61 My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
61 My child, if you have put up security for a friend's debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger-
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 6:1
Commentary on Proverbs 6:1-5
(Read Proverbs 6:1-5)
If we live as directed by the word of God, we shall find it profitable even in this present world. We are stewards of our worldly substance, and have to answer to the Lord for our disposal of it; to waste it in rash schemes, or such plans as may entangle us in difficulties and temptations, is wrong. A man ought never to be surety for more than he is able and willing to pay, and can afford to pay, without wronging his family; he ought to look upon every sum he is engaged for, as his own debt. If we must take all this care to get our debts to men forgiven, much more to obtain forgiveness with God. Humble thyself to him, make sure of Christ as thy Friend, to plead for thee; pray earnestly that thy sins may be pardoned, and that thou mayest be kept from going down to the pit.