“He who gives surety for a stranger will smart for it”: “Surety” was introduced in 6.1. There it was used in relation to close associates as well as to strangers. For “stranger” see 6.1. “Will smart” is literally “suffer injury,” that is, “will be hurt.” New Revised Standard Version has revised Revised Standard Version to say “To guarantee loans for a stranger brings trouble.” Most modern translations agree with Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project supports Revised Standard Version, but adds a second interpretation, “A bad man will be in a bad way [suffer for it] for having gone surety for a stranger.”

“But he who hates suretyship is secure”: “Hates” translates the same word used in 1.22 and 6.16 and in this context has the sense of avoid or keep away from. “Suretyship”, translated as “pledge” in 6.1, is literally “to strike palms [shake hands].” “Secure”, as in 1.33, means to be at ease or untroubled because such people will not be pursued by creditors.

We may render this verse, for example, “If you go surety [promise to pay someone’s debts], you will have troubles. It is better to avoid such promises and be at peace.”

We may also say, for example, “Promise to pay others’ debts and suffer; say “No” and be safe.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .