Proverbs 11:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

NIV: Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

NASB: One who is a guarantor for a stranger will certainly suffer for it, But one who hates being a guarantor is secure.

CSB: If someone puts up security for a stranger, he will suffer for it, but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

NLT: There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.

KJV: He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

NKJV: He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure.

Scripture does not say that all forms of lending are wrong. Rather, it points out the risks involved. In this verse, Solomon is specifically warning his students not to cosign a loan, or take on other debts or obligations, on behalf of a stranger. He had previously addressed this issue in chapter 6, but the mention of it again shows the serious of the transaction. If the first party to the loan reneges on his obligation to make payments, the cosigner is held responsible. This responsibility might bankrupt him and cause him to lose all his possessions.

Proverbs 22:26–27 likewise advises: "Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?" Solomon points out that there is safety in avoiding cosigning altogether. It is always wise to acknowledge God as the owner of all we have; we are simply stewards of what He has given to us. Therefore, we should be careful to use our funds in a way that He directs.

Proverbs 11:9–15 continues Solomon's wise sayings, mainly addressing the speech of the righteous and the speech of the wicked. The righteous person speaks wisely and causes others to rejoice and be blessed. In contrast, the wicked person speaks foolishly and causes trouble.

Many of the proverbs in this section deal with contrasts between those who are righteous and those who are wicked. Righteous people follow God's will, bring honor and blessing on themselves, and have hope. Evil people disobey God, bring trouble on others, are hated, and their lives lead to disaster.

This continues a long passage filled with Solomon's general, common-sense observations. As in chapter 10, Solomon presents a variety of contrasts. We see distinctions such as those between integrity and dishonesty, trust in wealth and trust in the Lord, wise and foolish talk, true riches and false riches, the blessing of the righteous and the harm caused by the wicked, and the respective rewards of the godly and those who are evil.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.

Accessed 9/14/2024 7:01:17 PM