1 M y son, if you have become security for your neighbor, if you have given your pledge for a stranger or another,

2 Y ou are snared with the words of your lips, you are caught by the speech of your mouth.

3 D o this now, my son, and deliver yourself when you have put yourself into the power of your neighbor; go, bestir and humble yourself, and beg your neighbor.

4 G ive not sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids;

5 D eliver yourself, as a roe or gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 G o to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!—

7 W hich, having no chief, overseer, or ruler,

8 P rovides her food in the summer and gathers her supplies in the harvest.

9 H ow long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?

10 Y et a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down and sleep—

11 S o will your poverty come like a robber or one who travels and your want like an armed man.

12 A worthless person, a wicked man, is he who goes about with a perverse (contrary, wayward) mouth.

13 H e winks with his eyes, he speaks by shuffling or tapping with his feet, he makes signs and teaches with his fingers.

14 W illful and contrary in his heart, he devises trouble, vexation, and evil continually; he lets loose discord and sows it.

15 T herefore upon him shall the crushing weight of calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken, and that without remedy.

16 T hese six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,

19 A false witness who breathes out lies, and he who sows discord among his brethren.

20 M y son, keep your father’s commandment and forsake not the law of your mother.

21 B ind them continually upon your heart and tie them about your neck.

22 W hen you go, they shall lead you; when you sleep, they shall keep you; and when you waken, they shall talk with you.

23 F or the commandment is a lamp, and the whole teaching is light, and reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

24 T o keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a loose woman.

25 L ust not after her beauty in your heart, neither let her capture you with her eyelids.

26 F or on account of a harlot a man is brought to a piece of bread, and the adulteress stalks and snares the precious life.

27 C an a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned?

28 C an one go upon hot coals and his feet not be burned?

29 S o he who cohabits with his neighbor’s wife; he who touches her shall not be innocent or go unpunished.

30 M en do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry;

31 B ut if he is found out, he must restore seven times; he must give the whole substance of his house.

32 B ut whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks heart and understanding (moral principle and prudence); he who does it is destroying his own life.

33 W ounds and disgrace will he get, and his reproach will not be wiped away.

34 F or jealousy makes man furious; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

35 H e will not consider any ransom; neither will he be satisfied, though you offer him many gifts and bribes.