KJV ORIGINAL
My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
My son, if you have promised to pay your friend's debt, if you have shaken hands with a stranger to guarantee their loan,
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is warning about the dangers of making yourself financially responsible for someone else's debts or obligations.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient times, making a pledge or 'striking hands' was a formal way of guaranteeing someone else's debt or business deal. If the original borrower couldn't pay, the guarantor would be fully responsible for the entire amount. This was a serious legal commitment that could lead to financial ruin or even slavery if the debt couldn't be paid.
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