Proverbs 6
A person who guarantees a loan for a friend can become trapped by their own words and should try to free themselves from the obligation. The lazy person is advised to learn from the industrious ant, which prepares for the future, and warned that idleness will lead to poverty. The wicked person who devises evil and sows discord will meet a swift and crushing end. The Lord hates seven things, including haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. A person should preserve their parents' teachings and follow the law, which will guide them and protect them from evil, including the dangers of adultery, which can lead to shame, dishonor, and destruction.
My son, if you have taken a pledge on behalf of your friend, then you have bound your hand to an outsiderthen you are ensnared by the words of your own mouth, and taken captive by your own wordsTherefore, my son, do what I say, and free yourself, for you have fallen into the hand of your neighbor. Run, hurry, awaken your friendDo not grant sleep to your eyes, nor let your eyelids slumberRescue yourself like a gazelle from the hand, and like a bird from the hand of the fowlerGo to the ant, you lazy one, and consider her ways, and so learn wisdomFor though she has no ruler, nor instructor, nor leadershe provides meals for herself in the summer, and she gathers at the harvest what she may eatHow long will you slumber, you lazy one? When will you rise up from your sleepYou will sleep a little, you will slumber a little, you will fold your hands a little to sleepand then destitution will meet with you, like a traveler, and poverty, like an armed man. Yet truly, if you would be diligent, then your harvest will arrive like a fountain, and destitution will flee far from youAn apostate man, a harmful man, walks with a perverse mouthhe winks with the eyes, touches with the foot, speaks with the fingerWith a depraved heart he devises evil, and at all times he sows conflictTo this one, his perdition will arrive promptly, and he shall be crushed suddenly: he will no longer have any remedySix things there are that the Lord hates, and the seventh, his soul detestshaughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blooda heart that devises the most wicked thoughts, feet running swiftly unto evila deceitful witness bringing forth lies, and he who sows discord among brothersMy son, preserve the precepts of your father, and do not dismiss the law of your motherBind them to your heart unceasingly, and encircle them around your throatWhen you walk, let them keep step with you. When you sleep, let them guard you. And when you keep watch, speak with themFor commandment is a lamp, and law is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of lifeSo may they guard you from an evil woman, and from the flattering tongue of the outsiderLet not your heart desire her beauty; do not be captivated by her winksFor the price of a prostitute is only one loaf. Yet the woman seizes the precious soul of a manWould a man be able to conceal fire in his bosom, so that his garments would not burnOr could he walk over burning coals, so that his feet would not be burnedSo also, he who enters to the wife of his neighbor shall not be clean when he touches herNot so great is the fault when someone has stolen. For he steals so as to satisfy a hungry soulAlso, if he is apprehended, he shall repay sevenfold and hand over all the substance of his houseBut whoever is an adulterer, because of the emptiness of his heart, will destroy his own soulHe gathers shame and dishonor to himself, and his disgrace will not be wiped awayFor the jealousy and fury of the husband will not spare him on the day of vindicationnor will he agree to the pleadings of anyone, nor will he accept, as repayment, a multitude of gifts
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