Proverbs 20:16
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
World English Bible British
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 rare jewel.
17Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
Cross References
Exodus 22:26If you take your neighbour’s garment as collateral, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down,
Proverbs 5:3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,
Proverbs 7:5that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.
Proverbs 11:15He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
Proverbs 23:27For a prostitute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife 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 →