Proverbs 20:16
If someone guarantees a stranger's debt with their cloak, be sure to take it! Make sure you have whatever is pledged to foreigners!
Free Bible 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's gold and plenty of expensive gemstones, but talking sense is a more valuable jewel.
17Food you get by cheating may taste sweet, but afterwards it will be like a mouthful of gravel.
Cross References
Exodus 22:26If you require your neighbor's cloak as security for a loan, you must return it to him by sunset,
Proverbs 5:3For the lips of an immoral woman may taste as sweet as honey, the kisses of her mouth may be as smooth as oil,
Proverbs 7:5They will protect you from the immoral woman, from the prostitute with her seductive words.
Proverbs 11:15You'll get into trouble if you guarantee a stranger's loans—you're far safer if you refuse to make such pledges.
Proverbs 23:27A prostitute is like being trapped in a pit; an immoral woman is like getting stuck a narrow well,
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 →