Proverbs 20:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

NIV: Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

NASB: Take his garment when he becomes guarantor for a stranger; And for foreigners, seize a pledge from him.

CSB: Take his garment, for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.

NLT: Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.

KJV: Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

NKJV: Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.

This verse emphasizes the risk a creditor takes in granting a loan. The debtor or cosigner may never repay the debt. The creditor—the one lending money or property—is advised to hold something from the borrower to help guarantee the debt will be repaid. The garment, in this case, serves as a pledge. Exodus 22:26–27 mentions this exact practice, but insists on a level of human decency: "If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep?" Deuteronomy 24:10–13 adds this further instruction: "When you make your neighbor a loan of any sort, you shall not go into his house to collect his pledge. You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you make the loan shall bring the pledge out to you. And if he is a poor man, you shall not sleep in his pledge. You shall restore to him the pledge as the sun sets, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you. And it shall be righteousness for you before the LORD your God."

Other proverbs warn about taking on debt, especially on behalf of others (Proverbs 6:1; 11:15; 22:6). This statement seems to emphasize caution about the character of those who seek to borrow. The phrasing refers to lending "for a stranger" and "for foreigners." "Foreigners" is translated from the Greek nākri. This is the same term used in Proverbs 7:5 in reference to an immoral woman. In the Old Testament context, "foreigners" were not merely people of other cultures, they were worshippers of idols (Deuteronomy 7:1–5). Lending is risky enough—lending to immoral or ungodly people is even more dangerous.

In this section of Solomon's wise sayings (Proverbs 10:1), he again discusses a wide range of subjects. These echo many of the common themes of the book of Proverbs. Solomon warns against foolishness (Proverbs 1:7), hastiness, angering authorities, and the consequences of sin and dishonesty. Several references condemn dishonest business dealings. Others note the value of diligence in making decisions.

This chapter of Proverbs belongs to the second division of the book that extends from Proverbs chapter 10 to chapter 22, in which there are nearly 400 wise sayings. Proverbs 20 continues the collection of Solomon's wise sayings. In this chapter Solomon focuses on numerous things which harm the unwise. Among them are laziness, wrong values, and bad decisions.

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.