61 My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor,
if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger; 2 You are trapped by the words of your mouth.
You are ensnared with the words of your mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself,
seeing you have come into the hand of your neighbor.
Go, humble yourself.
Press your plea with your neighbor. 4 Give no sleep to your eyes,
nor slumber to your eyelids. 5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 6:1-5
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.