Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
Parallel translations
- WEB Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
- KJV Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
- NKJV Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.
- NASB Take his garment when he becomes guarantor for a stranger; And for foreigners, seize a pledge from him.
- NLT Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If someone foolishly guarantees a stranger's debt, demand security from him. It matters as a warning about the danger of careless financial pledges.
Overview
Repeated in Proverbs 27:13, this saying advises taking collateral from one reckless enough to co-sign for strangers, since such a person is a poor credit risk. The wider counsel of Proverbs warns against rashly putting up surety (6:1-5; 11:15). It teaches prudence and caution in financial commitments.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Prov 27:13Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
- Exod 22:26–27If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset,
- Prov 22:26–27Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.
- Prov 11:15He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
- Prov 7:10Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart.
- Prov 2:16It will rescue you from the forbidden woman, from the stranger with seductive words
- Prov 7:5that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.
- Prov 23:27For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is a narrow well.
- Prov 5:3Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 20:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.