Proverbs 20:16
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [that is surety] for foreigners.
American Standard Version
In The King James Version
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
In Context
15There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Cross References
Exodus 22:26If thou at all take thy neighbor`s garment to pledge, thou shalt restore it unto him before the sun goeth down:
Proverbs 5:3For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil:
Proverbs 7:5That they may keep thee from the strange woman, From the foreigner that flattereth with her words.
Proverbs 11:15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; But he that hateth suretyship is secure.
Proverbs 23:27For a harlot is a deep ditch; And a foreign woman is a narrow pit.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 20:16
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. The lips of knowledge (a good understanding to guide the lips and a good elocution to diffuse the knowledge) are to be preferred far before gold, and pearl, and rubies; for, 1. They are more rare in themselves, more scarce and hard to be got. There is gold in many a man's pocket that has no grace in his heart. In Solomon's time there was plenty of gold ( 1 Kings x. 21 ) and abundance of rubies; every body wore them; they… Read the whole commentary →