He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
Whoever guarantees a stranger's debt will suffer for it, but whoever refuses to cosign loans stays safe.
The writer is warning that guaranteeing someone else's financial obligations (especially for people you don't know well) will likely lead to trouble, while those who avoid such arrangements protect themselves.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, during the time of King Solomon, financial agreements often involved one person acting as a guarantor for another's debts, which was a common practice in a society reliant on personal trust and oral contracts. This proverb serves as a warning in the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament, emphasizing the risks of pledging support for strangers, as it could lead to personal loss or regret. Such teachings were intended to promote prudent decision-making in everyday life to avoid unnecessary hardships.
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