Solomon singled out a few more serious errors to avoid in addition to marital unfaithfulness. These include assuming liability for the debts of others (vv. 1-5), being lazy (vv. 6-11), being untruthful (vv. 12-15), and seven other practices that need no clarification (vv. 16-19).
The advice in this section provides a good example of what prudence is. A prudent person is one who is capable of exercising sound judgment in practical matters. He or she is cautious and discreet in conduct, is circumspect, and is sensible. We often describe a prudent person by saying he or she has common sense. A prudent person can foresee the consequences of possible actions. A godly person can and should be prudent because God's revelation helps us see the consequences of our actions.
"Surety"(v. 1) means "security"in the sense of taking on another person's obligations as one's own, as when a person co-signs a note to pay another person's loan, for example. Paul offered to pay Onesimus' past debts, but not his future ones (Phile. 18-19). "Neighbor"and "stranger"(v. 1) together mean anyone; these two kinds of people are not the only ones in view.75Solomon strongly counseled avoidance of this obligation. If one finds himself in it already he should do everything he can to get himself out of it before he discovers he is in even worse trouble (v. 3).
Verses 6-11 warn against laziness.76A "vagabond"is a "highwayman,"namely, a robber.77
The person in view in verses 12-15 is one who, for the amusement it gives him or her, causes other people to experience inconvenience or suffering. A simple joke is different from joking at someone else's expense. The latter practice is what Solomon urged his sons to avoid. He called such a mischievous prankster "worthless"and "wicked"(v. 12). "Worthless"is literally "of Beliel,"a word that became a name for Satan (2 Cor. 6:15).
The list in verses 16-19 repeats some of what Solomon mentioned before. It may have been one whole proverb he added because it carried on the idea of other temptations to avoid. The phrase "six . . . yes, seven"(v. 16) implies that this list is not exhaustive of what God hates, though it is explicit.78These seven practices deal with attitude (v. 17a), thought (18a), speech (17b, 19a), action (17c, 18b), and influence (19b).
