Section 6:1–19

Here are several practical admonitions and warnings

This section contains practical warnings about four specific and unrelated areas of behavior. The first warning is about the danger of cosigning a loan for another person (6:1–5). The second paragraph speaks highly of the diligence of the ant and warns against laziness (6:6–11). The third paragraph briefly describes the behavior of a worthless scoundrel (6:12–15). The last paragraph is in the form of a numerical proverb and lists seven sins that the LORD hates (6:16–19).

Some other headings for this section are:

More Warnings (Good News Translation)
-or-
Dangers of Being Foolish (New Century Version)
-or-
Warnings Against Folly (New International Version)

Paragraph 6:1–5

In the first two verses of this paragraph, the father describes a possible circumstance or situation that his son may face. The last three verses advise the son what he should do if he is in that situation.

6:1

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning. Both lines refer to the same event, and the “neighbor” in 6:1a is the same person whom the Berean Standard Bible refers to as a “stranger” in 6:1b.

1a My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,

1b
if you have struck hands in pledge
with a stranger,

6:1a–b

if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger: These two clauses refer to a situation that the son may face. This is a situation where the son has promised to pay the money lender if the neighbor who borrowed the money is unable to pay. An agreement of this nature was concluded or sealed by striking or clapping the palm of the other person.

Similar verses about guaranteeing to pay someone else’s debt occur in 11:15, 17:18, 20:16, and 22:26. See the notes on 17:18 for a description of specific differences between these verses. See the notes on 20:16 for further definitions of the three people (borrower, guarantor, and money lender) involved in this kind of situation.

The Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions use “if” clauses in 6:1–2 to describe this situation. Other ways to describe it are to use a question or a different kind of clause. For example:

Have you put up security for your neighbor?
-or-
Suppose you have put up security for your neighbor.
-or-
Be careful about putting up security for your neighbor.

Describe this situation in a natural way in your language. See the General Comment on 6:1–2 at the end of 6:2a–b for other ways to translate these verses.

6:1a

My son: (see 1:8a in the Notes).

for your neighbor: In Hebrew, the word neighbor can refer to anyone with whom one interacts. It can include a close friend, an acquaintance, or simply another person. It does not refer only to a person who lives nearby. See how you translated the same word in 3:28a–b.

6:1b

you have struck hands in pledge: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “you have clapped/struck your palms.” The function of this gesture was to conclude a legal or financial agreement. Some ways to translate this gesture are:

• Use a gesture or action that has the same function in your culture. For example:

you have finalized your promise by shaking hands
-or-
you have cosigned another person’s loan

• Translate the meaning without referring to a particular gesture or action. For two examples, see the Contemporary English Version and Good News Translation. They are quoted in the General Comment on 6:1a–b below.

with a stranger: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stranger is literally “foreigner” or “stranger.” The Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, and New Jerusalem Bible translate it as stranger, but in this context, it probably refers to anyone outside of the family. For example:

someone else (New Century Version)

General Comment on 6:1a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts of this verse. For example:

My child, suppose you agree to pay the debt of someone, who cannot repay a loan. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
My child, have you promised to be responsible for someone else’s debts? (Good News Translation)

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