¹⁸ A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and makes himself responsible before his neighbour.

¹⁵ He who makes himself responsible for a strange man will undergo much loss; but the hater of such undertakings will be safe.

¹ My son, if you have made yourself responsible for your neighbour, or given your word for another,

² You are taken as in a net by the words of your mouth, the sayings of your lips have overcome you.

³ Do this, my son, and make yourself free, because you have come into the power of your neighbour; go without waiting, and make a strong request to your neighbour.

⁴ Give no sleep to your eyes, or rest to them;

⁵ Make yourself free, like the roe from the hand of the archer, and the bird from him who puts a net for her.

¹⁶ Take a man's clothing if he makes himself responsible for a strange man, and get an undertaking from him who gives his word for strange men.

¹⁶ He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.

²⁶ Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:

²⁷ If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.