1 My son, if thou become surety for thy friend,
Thou shalt deliver thy hand to an enemy.
2 For a man’s own lips become a strong snare to him,
And he is caught with the lips of his own mouth.
3 My son, do what I command thee, and deliver thyself;
For on thy friend’s account thou art come into the power of evil men:
Faint not,
But stir up even thy friend for whom thou art become surety.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes,
Nor slumber with thine eyelids;
5 That thou mayest deliver thyself as a doe out of the toils,
And as a bird out of a snare.