1 My son, ^aif you become surety for your friend,
If you have¹ shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, ‡

2 You are snared by the words of your mouth;
You are taken by the words of your mouth.

3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself;
For you have come into the hand of your friend:
Go and humble yourself;
Plead with your friend.

4 ^aGive no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids. ‡

5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
And like a bird from the hand of the¹ fowler. ‡