VI A caution against suretyship, ver. 1-5. Against slothfulness, ver. 6-11. The practice and end of a mischievous man, ver. 12-15. Account of seven things which God hates, ver. 16-19. An exhortation to keep the commandments, ver. 20-23. Farther warnings against whoredom, ver. 24-35.

Verse 1. Surety - Rashly, without considering how thou shalt discharge the debt as occasion require. Otherwise suretyship in some cases may be not only lawful, but an act of justice and charity. Stricken thy hand - Obliged thyself by giving thine hand, as the custom then was in such cases. With - With the creditor, whom he calls a stranger, because the usurers in Israel, who lent money to others, upon condition of paying use for it, were either Heathens, or were reputed as bad as Heathens, because this practice was forbidden by God's law, Deut. xxiii, 19.

Verse 3. Hand - Into the power. Friend - Of the debtor, for whom, as being thy friend, thou didst become surety; whereby thou art in his power, by his neglect or unfaithfulness, to expose thee to the payment of the debt. Make sure - Or, and prevail with thy friend, strive to win him by thine incessant and earnest solicitations.

Verse 4. Give not sleep - Until thou hast taken care for the discharge of this obligation.

Verse 6. Go - This is a distinct precept; and it is for the most part as needless to seek, as hard to find, coherence in the Proverbs.

Verse 11. Travelleth - Swiftly and unexpectedly. Armed man - Irresistibly.

Verse 16. Hate - Above many other sins which have a worse name in the world.

Verse 18. Deviseth - He whose practice it is to contrive wickedness. Swift - Such as greedily execute their wicked designs.

Verse 20. The law - The word of God, which thy parents delivered to thee.

Verse 21. Bind them - Constantly remember, and duly consider them.

Verse 22. It - The law of God which thy parents have taught thee. Talk - It shall give thee counsel and comfort.

25. Eye-lids - With her wanton glances,

Verse 30. Despise - Abhor, but rather pity him.

Verse 31. Restore - He speaks not of that restitution which the law required, but of that which either the wronged person might force the thief to make, or which the thief would willingly give rather than be exposed to public shame.