1  My son, if you have ^fput up security for your neighbor,

have given your pledge for a stranger,

2  if you are ^gsnared in the words of your mouth,

caught in the words of your mouth,

3  then do this, my son, and save yourself,

for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:

go, hasten,¹ and plead urgently with your neighbor.

4  ^hGive your eyes ⁱno sleep

and your eyelids no slumber;

5  save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,²

like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6  ^jGo to the ^kant, O sluggard;

consider her ways, and be wise.

18  One who lacks sense ^ggives a pledge

and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.