Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
Do this right away, my child, and free yourself from this situation, since you've fallen into your friend's control: go, humble yourself, and plead urgently with your friend.
The writer is urgently telling someone to swallow their pride and immediately ask their friend to release them from a financial obligation they've gotten trapped in.
📚 Historical Context
Proverbs is part of the Old Testament's Wisdom Literature, attributed to King Solomon, who compiled these sayings around 900 BC to guide people in practical daily decisions and moral living. In this verse, it's addressing a scenario where someone has foolishly guaranteed a loan for another, potentially leading to personal ruin, and urges immediate action to avoid the consequences. This reflects the ancient Israelite culture, where financial pledges were serious commitments that could result in debt slavery or loss of property.
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