Proverbs 20:16 says, Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.  Matthew Henry says this refers to two ways to financial ruin.  One is to pledge security for just anyone or everyone.  The other is to pledge security for a strange woman simply to impress or endear her.  God expects those that follow Him to be responsible in using what He blesses them with.  Verse seventeen states, Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.  Lies may temporarily seem sweet, but when the truth is made known, lies will taste bitter in our mouth.  The truth will ultimately win out, and if our life is built on lies, we will be left bitter and alone before God.  Verse eighteen says, Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.  We are better off seeking the counsel of others, or at least of God, when making big decisions, especially those that will affect others.  This is especially true about going to war.  We should always do everything to bring God glory and not just to satisfy our own desires.  Verse nineteen declares, He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.  We should not tell everyone everything we think or are going to do.  Some people love to spread gossip, and we should attempt to avoid them.  Verse twenty states, Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.  We cannot follow God's will and hate our parents, no matter how good or bad they may be.  Respecting, or loving our parents comes from who we are as followers of Christ, and not just from what they have or haven't done.  Verse twenty-one proclaims, An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.  Matthew Henry says this means gaining an inheritance, or wealth, through cheating others.  It may make a person feel good in this world, but will end in destruction at God's judgment.  God will never bless anything gained by cheating someone else.  Verse twenty-two says, Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.  This is telling us that we are not to avenge evil with evil.  We, as followers of Christ, are not to have the attitude that if someone hurts us hurt them worse.  We are to wait on God to judge and punish all evil.  Verse twenty-three states, Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.  This is once more simply a call for honesty in the way we treat others.  We are never to attempt to cheat someone else for our own gain.  Verse twenty-four asks, Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?  This asks how we can follow God if we continue to live by our own guidance.  We must always seek God's will as we go through life.  Verse twenty-five says, It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.  We should not practice empty worship of God.  If we pledge something to God, then we should not look for a way to keep it for ourselves.  I believe this includes everything that we are or have.  As followers of Christ, we pledge our life to Him and should never attempt to keep part of our life for ourself.  Verse twenty-six says, A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.  Those who rule wisely work against the wicked, and I believe that it is implied that they follow God.  Verse twenty-seven states, The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.  If we are followers of Christ, then we will look to all aspects of our lives to make sure that we are following God's will.  God will certainly shed light in each dark corner of our lives.  Verse twenty-eight states, Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.  When a ruler rules with mercy and truth, his or her position will be upheld.  People tend to willingly follow those in power who rule with mercy and truth.  Verse twenty-nine says, The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.  Just as young people glory in their strength, so should the older people realize that living a long life is a beauty in itself.  We cannot stay young forever, but should be content in growing older.  Verse thirty declares, The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.  Matthew Henry says this means that sometimes those who are obstinate in their refusal to obey the law or God need punishment to bring them into line.