6:3a

then do this, my son, to free yourself: This clause forms the transition between the situation described in 6:1–2 and the conclusion described in 6:3–5. It introduces what the teacher advises his son to do in order to release himself from the promise to pay the other person’s debts.

If the relationship between the situation and the conclusion is not clear, it may be helpful to begin 6:3 with an “if” clause that summarizes 6:1–2. For example:

My child, if this is your situation,…
-or-
My child, if you have done this (New Century Version)

Most versions repeat the vocative my son, as the Berean Standard Bible has done. However, the New Living Translation (2004) and Contemporary English Version have made this phrase implicit, perhaps because 6:3 is not the start of a new lesson. You will need to consider whether it is appropriate in your language to repeat a vocative in the middle of an exhortation.

6:3b

for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: This clause gives the reason for the preceding and following commands. The idiom you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands indicates here that the young man is under the control or power of the neighbor who is the borrower. That is, the young man’s legal and financial obligations will depend on whether the borrower repays his own loan.

General Comment on 6:3a–b

In some languages, it may be clearer to change the order of some of the phrases in 6:3a–b. For example:

My child, if you have done this and are under your neighbor’s control, here is how to get free. (New Century Version)

6:3c

Go: In this context, the word Go implies that the son will go to the neighbor without delay.

humble yourself: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as humble yourself :

(1) It means “humble yourself.” For example:

humble yourself (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It means “hasten.” For example:

hurry to him (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with the majority of versions and scholars.

Some other ways to translate humble yourself are:

• Use a negative command. For example:

Don’t be proud (New Century Version)

• Use an idiom. For example:

Swallow your pride (New Living Translation (2004))

6:3d

and press your plea with your neighbor: In Hebrew, the phrase press your plea is literally “to storm at,” “to impetuously attack.” It indicates here a desperate pleading or begging that the neighbor cancel the young man’s agreement to be the guarantor for his debt. In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:

beg for permission to call off the agreement (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
beg to be free from your promise (New Century Version)

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