Translation commentary on Proverbs 27:13

This verse is almost identical with 20.16. See there for comments. As the footnotes in Revised Standard Version and other versions indicate, the Hebrew text has “a foreign woman,” where the Vulgate and 20.16 have “foreigners.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project rates the Hebrew text as “B”; a good number of versions, however, follow Revised Standard Version with “foreigners” or “persons unknown” (New Jerusalem Bible).

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 .

complete verse (Proverbs 27:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 27:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “It is not good to stand (surety) for the debt of a person who is not known,
    and if a person stands for that debt, take his things as security/deposit.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Take a deposit from one
    who gave a guarantee for a stranger.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If a man promises that he (will be) the one who will-pay to you (sing.) the debt of a man whom he does- not -know, be-sure that you (sing.) can get a guarantee from him, even his clothes, so-that you (sing.) can-be-sure that he will-pay.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The one who stands-for (as guarantor) the debt of a stranger, it is necessary that the lender hold-onto his possessions to cause-to-be-made-certain that he will pay.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “You deserve to have your property taken from you
    if you foolishly promise to a stranger (OR, a strange woman) that you will pay what she owes if she is unable to pay it.” (Source: Translation for Translators)