Proverbs 6:1–15

FINANCIAL ENTANGLEMENTS

6 My son, if you have put up security for your neighborB

or entered into an agreement withC a stranger,j

2 you have been snared by the words of your mouth

trapped by the words from your mouth.

3 Do this, then, my son, and free yourself,

for you have put yourself in your neighbor’s power:

Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.

4 Don’t give sleep to your eyes

or slumber to your eyelids.k

5 Escape like a gazelle from a hunter,D

like a bird from a hunter’s trap.D,l

LAZINESS

6 Go to the ant,m you slacker!n

Observe its ways and become wise.

7 Without leader, administrator, or ruler,

8 it prepares its provisions in summer;

it gathers its food during harvest.o

9 How long will you stay in bed, you slacker?

When will you get up from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the arms to rest,

11 and your poverty will come like a robber,

your need, like a bandit.p

THE MALICIOUS MAN

12 A worthless person,q a wicked man

goes around speaking dishonestly,r

13 winkings his eyes, signaling with his feet,

and gesturing with his fingers.

14 He always plots evilt with perversity in his heart;

he stirs up trouble.u

15 Therefore calamity will strike him suddenly;

he will be shattered instantly, beyond recovery.v