14 A good man becometh surety for his neighbour,

But he that hath lost the sense of shame vrunneth away from his suretyv.

15 wForget not the good offices of thy surety,

For he hath given his life for theew.

16 xA sinner disregardethy the goodness of his surety,

17 zAnd the ungratefula man faileth him that delivered himz.

18 Suretyship hath undone many bthat were prosperingb,

bbAnd tossed them about as a wave of the seabb;

Men of wealth hath it driven from their homes,

And they had to wander among strange nations.

19 The sinner falleth in (his) suretyshipc,

And dhe that followeth after sinsd falleth into judgements.

20 Helpe thy neighbour according to thy power,

And take heed to thyself, that thou fall not.

(l) 29:21–28. The advantages of contentment and independence

(= 1 + 3 + 3 + 1 distichs).