“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished. Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he is surety for a seductress” (Proverbs 27:12-13).
As any bank’s loan officer knows, lending money to people who are untrustworthy with their word and profane in their lives will usually result in financial losses. You do not have to be a psychic to know this, just prudent.
Solomon identifies the folly of this bad invest transaction.
First, there is the seductress/stranger who needs the surety/guarantee for the loan. Regardless of whether she is married or not, a seductress is a fornicator who clearly lacks reverence for God and His parameters for morality. Her immoral lifestyle foolishly flaunts God’s wisdom. Prudent people do not trust her.
Second, there is the one who is providing the surety—the co-signer of the loan. Foolishly this man believes that a woman who has no respect for God and His word will have respect for him and will keep her word. Apparently, he cannot foresee anything in the future going awry with this investment arrangement. Solomon’s counsel is: If he is so imprudent that he gets involved in this bad investment arrangement, secure all the surety you can get. You are prudent to get it.
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