Proverbs 6:1–22

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

WHAT THE LORD HATES

16 The Lord hates six things;

in fact, seven are detestable to him:

17 arrogant eyes,w a lying tongue,x

hands that shed innocent blood,y

18 a heart that plots wicked schemes,z

feet eager to run to evil,aa

19 a lying witness who gives false testimony,ab

and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.ac

WARNING AGAINST ADULTERY

20 My son, keep your father’s command,

and don’t reject your mother’s teaching.ad

21 Always bind them to your heart;

tie them around your neck.ae

22 When you walk here and there, they will guide you;

when you lie down, they will watch over you;

when you wake up, they will talk to you.