Pro 17:18 | NET2full | STEP | The one who lacks sense strikes hands in pledge and puts up financial security for his neighbor .

‏ Proverbs 17:18

18 The one who lacks sense ^{▼▼tn Heb “lacking of mind.” The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) refers by metonymy to thinking, and by extension to discernment, wisdom, good sense. Cf. KJV, ASV “a man void of understanding”; NIV84 “a man lacking in judgment”; NIV11 “one who has no sense.”} strikes hands in pledge ^{▼▼tn The phrase “in pledge” is supplied for the sake of clarification.}
and puts up financial security ^{▼▼tn The line uses the participle עֹרֵב (ʿorev) with its cognate accusative עֲרֻבָּה (ʿarubbah), “who pledges a pledge.”} for his neighbor. ^{▼▼sn It is foolish to pledge security for someone’s loans (e.g., Prov 6:1-5).}