My son, if you have become surety (guaranteed a debt or obligation) for your neighbor,
If you have given your pledge for [the debt of] a stranger or another [outside your family],

Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes him rich.

He who puts up security and guarantees a debt for an outsider will surely suffer [for his foolishness],
But he who hates (declines) being a guarantor is secure [from its penalties].

If the righteous will be rewarded on the earth [with godly blessings],
How much more [will] the wicked and the sinner [be repaid with punishment]!

Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],
And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes];
Therefore abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode.

A man lacking common sense gives a pledge
And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor.

He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.

When the wicked man comes [to the depth of evil], contempt [of all that is pure and good] also comes,
And with inner baseness (dishonor) comes outer shame (scorn).

The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
And the treacherous in the place of the upright [for they fall into their own traps].

Do not be among those who give pledges [involving themselves in others’ finances],
Or among those who become guarantors for others’ debts.

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
And he who sires a wise child will have joy in him.

Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor’s house,
Or he will become tired of you and hate you.

When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves;
But when the wicked perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become great.

If a ruler pays attention to lies [and encourages corruption],
All his officials will become wicked.