Proverbs 20:16
Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
Majority Standard Bible
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 an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
Cross References
Exodus 22:26If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset,
Proverbs 5:3Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil,
Proverbs 7:5that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.
Proverbs 11:15He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
Proverbs 23:27For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is 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 →