Proverbs 20:14-16
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
14 “Bad, bad!” says the buyer,
then goes away only to boast.[a]
15 One can put on gold and abundant jewels,
but wise lips are the most precious ornament.[b]
16 Take the garment of the one who became surety for a stranger;(A)
if for foreigners, exact the pledge![c]
Footnotes
- 20:14 Bartering invites playacting and masking one’s true intent. The truth of words depends on their context.
- 20:15 Wisdom is said to be preferable to gold in 3:14; 8:10, 19; 16:16. Colon B suggests that the gold and jewelry here are ornaments for the face (cf. Gn 24:53; Ex 3:22; Is 61:10). Wise lips are the most beautiful adornment, for they display the wisdom of the heart.
- 20:16 The text is not clear. See 27:13. Caution in becoming surety is always advised (cf. 6:1–3), and it is especially advisable with strangers.
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