16 What’s the point of a fool having money in hand to buy wisdom when his head is empty? 17 A friend loves at all times, and a relative is born to help in adversity. 18 The one who lacks sense strikes hands in pledge and puts up financial security for his neighbor. 19 The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression; whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction. 20 The one who has a perverse heart does not find good, and the one who is deceitful in speech falls into trouble.

18 Being surety has ruined many who were prosperous, and has tossed them about like waves of the sea; it has driven the influential into exile, and they have wandered among foreign nations. 19 The sinner comes to grief through surety; his pursuit of gain involves him in lawsuits. 20 Assist your neighbor to the best of your ability, but be careful not to fall yourself. 21 The necessities of life are water, bread, and clothing, and also a house to assure privacy. 22 Better is the life of the poor under their own crude roof than sumptuous food in the house of others.