Proverbs 20:16

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

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Taking risks does not prove courage or wisdom; it is usually evidence of folly or haste. Unnecessary risks tempt God, and He will punish such presumption. This proverb also teaches to avoid or beware of men who take foolish risks. Because they show a character fault of foolish risk-taking, security should be required in business dealings with them.

Solomon often warned against suretiship (Pr 6:1-5; 11:15; 17:18; 22:26-27; 27:13). In fact, this proverb has an identical twin in Proverbs 27:13. A prudent rule of wisdom is to avoid risks that could cost you financially or in other ways. Wise men strive to preserve capital, not foolishly risk it to loss by naïve or ignorant optimism. Prudent men avoid danger and risk; simple men pass on foolishly and get punished (Pr 22:3; 27:12).

A surety guarantees the performance of others, like co-signing loans. Doing this for a stranger, due to haste or pride, can create serious financial trouble. If the stranger does not perform, creditors can enforce the contract on the guarantor – the fool who co-signed the deal. It was a major temptation to kings’ sons to guarantee the deals of others. But if a person has exposed himself to such risks, how can you trust him to make good to you?

Solomon gave his son a rule about business partnerships. Do not enter transactions with risk-takers, unless you take security of them. Since garments were valuable possessions in Bible times, he suggested taking the garment of risk takers as a performance bond, security deposit, or earnest money (Gen 38:13-18; Ex 22:26-27; Deut 24:10-13). By taking a security deposit, a wise man can more safely enter contracts with foolish men.

The second clause of the proverb has an ellipsis, words intentionally omitted to shorten the sentence and increase the force. Pledges, or security deposits, should also be required from men who befriend strange women. The immoral, or amoral, lifestyle of a whoremonger indicates that you should not trust him in business or financial transactions. To protect yourself from his lack of character, you should also obtain security from him.

It is a blessing to meet godly men, with whom you can enter partnerships and transactions and not worry at all. But men who are not disciplined financially or morally are not good business partners. They should be avoided. A wise man will not risk his own financial life by trusting a person who takes unnecessary risks with capital or strange women. The wise warning is to protect you in deals with men prone to risk-taking or whorish women.

Reader, it is better to be safe than sorry. Resist all the appeals of others, and the pride and greed existing within, to be a risk-taker or to enter deals with such men. And avoid commitments or relationships with whores or whoremongers. Choose the faithful of the land for your partners and friends (Ps 101:6; 119:63). They will benefit from you; you will avoid much trouble; you will have partners to call on in the future for your help.

Jesus Christ is Surety for His people (Heb 7:22), those the Father gave Him to save (Jn 6:38-39; 10:26-29; 17:2-3). They were guilty of every crime imaginable, but He took the full cost and risk of their crimes and souls and paid the complete price for their pardon. He finished the legal transaction, and His Father accepted all those chosen in Him in eternity (Eph 1:3-6). There is not a chance a single one will be lost (Rom 8:32-35; 5:10).