Proverbs 20:16
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
King James Version
In Context
15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Cross References
Exodus 22:26If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
Proverbs 5:3For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
Proverbs 7:5That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
Proverbs 11:15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
Proverbs 23:27For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange 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 →