Proverbs 27:13 - 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 an adulteress.

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 a guarantor for a stranger; And for a foreign woman 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 him who is surety for a stranger, And hold it in pledge when he is surety for a seductress.

As in Proverbs 20:16, this lesson advises a lender to be cautious when lending to an unreliable person. What Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) suggests here is an aggressive approach that puts great pressure on the borrower to repay. The examples given involve those who are using money for especially risky purposes. Or, for those who are known for immoral behavior. Lending is risky enough by itself; wagering on the reliability of ungodly people is even riskier. If a believer chooses to gamble by "lending" to unreliable people, it is wise to anticipate danger (Proverbs 27:12) and act sensibly.

Believers must be cautious about how they handle money. Generosity and sacrificial giving do not require Christians to be gullible or senseless (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Timothy 3:6). "Loaning" to an underserving, immoral person who seems likely to abuse the gift is not showing good stewardship. Believers ought to recognize that every good and perfect gift comes from God and should be managed wisely (James 1:17; 1 Timothy 4:4). Ultimately, our financial resources belong to God. Squandering God's gift of money is tantamount to showing ingratitude and an understanding of the faithfulness God demands of stewards.

Other Old Testament passages add a sense of compassion even to these situations. "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?" (Exodus 22:26–27). Similarly, Deuteronomy 24:10–13 notes that lending to those who are truly in need should be done with respect for their dignity.

Wise sayings from this chapter warn about overconfidence and bragging. Solomon also encourages positive friendships and the wisdom they provide. He offers several notes about self-examination and the need for personal accountability. Many of the proverbs in this passage touch on the concept of speaking truth in love, even if it's not what the other person would like to hear. The end of the chapter uses the example of livestock to make a point about good stewardship.

This continues a collection of approximately one hundred proverbs associated with Solomon. King Hezekiah's men, probably his scribes, copied these from other scrolls (Proverbs 25:1). This chapter includes references to overconfidence, the value of friendships, and the importance of good stewardship. The assembly of Solomon's wise teachings continues through the end of chapter 29.

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.