Proverbs 6

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

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1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor or entered into an agreement with a stranger,

2you have been trapped by the words of your lips-- ensnared by the words of your mouth.

3Do 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.

4Don't give sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids.

5Escape like a gazelle from a hunter, like a bird from a fowler's trap.

6Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise.

7Without leader, administrator, or ruler,

8it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.

9How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?

10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,

11and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.

12A worthless person, a wicked man, who goes around speaking dishonestly,

13who winks his eyes, signals with his feet, and gestures with his fingers,

14who plots evil with perversity in his heart-- he stirs up trouble constantly.

15Therefore calamity will strike him suddenly; he will be shattered instantly-- beyond recovery.

16Six things the LORD hates; in fact, seven are detestable to Him:

17arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

18a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil,

19a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.

20My son, keep your father's command, and don't reject your mother's teaching.

21Always bind them to your heart; tie them around your neck.

22When 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.

23For a commandment is a lamp, teaching is a light, and corrective instructions are the way to life.

24They will protect you from an evil woman, from the flattering tongue of a stranger.

25Don't lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyelashes.

26For a prostitute's fee is only a loaf of bread, but an adulteress goes after [your] very life.

27Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned?

28Can a man walk on coals without scorching his feet?

29So it is with the one who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

30People don't despise the thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry.

31Still, if caught, he must pay seven times as much; he must give up all the wealth in his house.

32The one who commits adultery lacks sense; whoever does so destroys himself.

33He will get a beating and dishonor, and his disgrace will never be removed.

34For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.

35He will not be appeased by anything or be persuaded by lavish gifts.

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