Proverbs 20:16
If you foolishly promise to a stranger that you will pay what he owes if he is unable to pay it [DOU], you deserve to have someone take your coat from you.
Translation for Translators
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
15Gold and precious stones are valuable, but wise words [MTY] are more valuable.
Cross References
Exodus 22:26If he gives you his cloak to guarantee that he will pay the money back, you must give the cloak back to him before the sun goes down,
Proverbs 5:3What an immoral woman says to you may be as sweet as honey, and sound smoother than olive oil feels on your skin,
Proverbs 7:5If you are wise and if you understand what is wise [PRS], you will not sleep with an immoral woman; you will not listen to a woman who tries to entice you to sleep with her by what she says.
Proverbs 11:15If you promise a stranger that you will pay his debt if he cannot pay it himself, you will regret it. You will be safe if you refuse to guarantee that you will pay someone else’s debts.
Proverbs 23:27Prostitutes and immoral women [DOU] are like [MET] a deep pit or a well that you may fall into.
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 →