Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor. New Living Translation It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend. English Standard Version One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor. Berean Standard Bible A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. King James Bible A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. New King James Version A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. New American Standard Bible A person lacking in sense shakes hands And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor. NASB 1995 A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor. NASB 1977 A man lacking in sense pledges, And becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor. Legacy Standard Bible A man lacking a heart of wisdom strikes his hands in pledge And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor. Amplified Bible A man lacking common sense gives a pledge And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor. Christian Standard Bible One without sense enters an agreement and puts up security for his friend. Holman Christian Standard Bible One without sense enters an agreement and puts up security for his friend. American Standard Version A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor. Contemporary English Version It's stupid to guarantee someone else's loan. English Revised Version A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour. GOD'S WORD® Translation A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake. He guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend. Good News Translation Only someone with no sense would promise to be responsible for someone else's debts. International Standard Version A man who lacks sense cosigns a loan, becoming a guarantor for his neighbor. Majority Standard Bible A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. NET Bible The one who lacks wisdom strikes hands in pledge, and puts up financial security for his neighbor. New Heart English Bible A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor. Webster's Bible Translation A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. World English Bible A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionA man lacking heart is striking hands, "" He becomes a guarantor before his friend. Young's Literal Translation A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend. Smith's Literal Translation A man wanting heart will strike the hand, pledging a pledge before his friend. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleA foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend. Catholic Public Domain Version A foolish man will clap his hands, when he makes a pledge for his friend. New American Bible Those without sense give their hands in pledge, becoming surety for their neighbors. New Revised Standard Version It is senseless to give a pledge, to become surety for a neighbor. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleA foolish man pledges himself, for he becomes surety for his friend. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated A foolish man hands over his bounty which he pledges for his neighbor as security. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917A man void of understanding is he that striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbour. Brenton Septuagint Translation A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, as he also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness…17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. 19He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.… Cross References Proverbs 6:1-5 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger, / if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth, / then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go, humble yourself, and press your plea with your neighbor. ... Proverbs 11:15 He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure. Proverbs 22:26-27 Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts. / If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you? Proverbs 20:16 Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner. Proverbs 27:13 Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner. Job 17:3 Give me, I pray, the pledge You demand. Who else will be my guarantor? Nehemiah 5:3-5 Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” / Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. / We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.” 2 Kings 4:1 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” Psalm 37:21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving. Psalm 112:5 It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice. Matthew 5:25-26 Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. / Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 18:23-35 Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. / As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. / Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. ... Luke 6:34-35 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. / But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 12:58-59 Make every effort to reconcile with your adversary while you are on your way to the magistrate. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and the officer may throw you into prison. / I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.” Romans 13:8 Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Treasury of Scripture A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his friend. void Proverbs 6:1-5 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, … Proverbs 11:15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. Proverbs 20:16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. understanding heart Jump to Previous Agreement Collateral Friend Gives Guarantor Hand Hands Heart Judgment Lacking Makes Neighbor Neighbour Pledge Pledges Presence Puts Responsible Sense Senseless Strikes Striketh Striking Surety Understanding VoidJump to Next Agreement Collateral Friend Gives Guarantor Hand Hands Heart Judgment Lacking Makes Neighbor Neighbour Pledge Pledges Presence Puts Responsible Sense Senseless Strikes Striketh Striking Surety Understanding VoidProverbs 17 1. Contrasts between the Righteous and the WickedA man lacking judgment This phrase highlights the importance of wisdom and discernment in decision-making. In the biblical context, wisdom is often associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). The lack of judgment here implies a deficiency in understanding and prudence, which are highly valued in the wisdom literature of the Bible. The Hebrew culture placed a strong emphasis on wisdom as a guiding principle for life, as seen throughout the Book of Proverbs. strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor Persons / Places / Events 1. The Man Lacking JudgmentThis individual is characterized by a lack of discernment or wisdom, often making impulsive or unwise decisions. 2. Neighbor In the context of ancient Israel, a neighbor would be someone within the community or close social circle, emphasizing the relational aspect of the pledge. 3. Pledge This refers to a financial or legal commitment, often involving a handshake or agreement to guarantee another person's debt or obligation. Teaching Points Discernment in Financial MattersChristians are encouraged to exercise wisdom and discernment in financial dealings, avoiding impulsive commitments that could lead to personal or familial hardship. The Importance of Prudence Prudence is a virtue that involves careful consideration of potential consequences before making decisions, especially those involving financial or legal obligations. Community and Responsibility While helping others is a Christian virtue, it is important to balance generosity with responsibility, ensuring that one's own household is not put at risk. Biblical Wisdom on Debt The Bible consistently advises caution regarding debt and financial entanglements, encouraging believers to live within their means and avoid unnecessary liabilities.(18) In the presence of his friend.--Or, With his neighbour. (For the same warning, comp. Proverbs 6:1, sqq.)Verse 18. - A man void of understanding (Hebrew, heart) striketh hands; clinches the bargain which makes him responsible (see on suretyship, Proverbs 6:1, etc.; and note, Proverbs 20:16). Becometh surety in the presence of his friend; to his friend for some third party. What is here censured is the weakness which, for the sake of perhaps worthless companions, lets itself be hampered and endangered by others' obligations. For, as our adage runs, he that is surety for another is never sure himself. The Septuagint takes the "striking of hands" to be a sign of joy (Vulgate, plaudet manibus), "The foolish man claps (ἐπικροτεῖ) and rejoices in himself, so also he who pledges himself for his friend." Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew A manאָדָ֣ם (’ā·ḏām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being lacking חֲסַר־ (ḥă·sar-) Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 2638: Needy, lacking, in want of judgment לֵ֭ב (lêḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre strikes תּוֹקֵ֣עַ (tō·w·qê·a‘) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8628: To clatter, slap, clang, to drive, to become bondsman hands in pledge כָּ֑ף (kāp̄) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan and puts up security עֹרֵ֥ב (‘ō·rêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6148: To braid, intermix, technically, to traffic, give to be security for לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face his neighbor. רֵעֵֽהוּ׃ (rê·‘ê·hū) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow Links Proverbs 17:18 NIVProverbs 17:18 NLT Proverbs 17:18 ESV Proverbs 17:18 NASB Proverbs 17:18 KJV Proverbs 17:18 BibleApps.com Proverbs 17:18 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 17:18 Chinese Bible Proverbs 17:18 French Bible Proverbs 17:18 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:18 A man void of understanding strikes hands (Prov. 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