My son, if you have become a guarantor for your neighbor, Or have given a handshake for a stranger,If you have been ensnared by the words of your mouth, Or caught by the words of your mouth,Then do this, my son, and save yourself: Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and be urgent with your neighbor to free yourself.Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids;Save yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand, And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
Do not be among those who shake hands, Among those who become guarantors for debts.If you have nothing with which to repay, Why should he take your bed from under you?