1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands on pledge with a stranger,
2You have trapped yourself with the words out of your mouth, those words have snared you.
3So do this now, my son, and free yourself, since you have placed yourself at the mercy of your friend: go, swallow your pride, and beg your friend to have your signature expunged (erased) from the binding document.
4Do not allow yourself sleep,
5Until you have extricated yourself from that obligation, like a deer from the hand of the hunter, or a bird escaping from a net.
6Go, take a lesson from the ant, you sloth; consider her ways, and gain wisdom.
7The ant is a ‘self-starter’, having no guide, overseer, or boss,
8Yet she stores her food in the summer, gathering it as a harvest.
9How long will you lie there, you lazy sloth? When will you get up from your sleep?
10Just a little more sleep, a little folding of the hands to snooze,
11Then your poverty will like an armed bandit.
12A troublemaker goes about with a perverse mouth.
13He signals deceit by winking, or a nudge with his feet, or motions of his fingers;
14Perverse in his heart, he continually plots devises mischief, sowing discord.
15Therefore disaster shall abruptly descend upon; shall he suddenly be broken without remedy.
16These six things the LORD hates; yea, seven are an abomination unto Him:
17A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18A heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run to mischief,
19A false witness who spews lies, and one that stirs up trouble in the community.
20My son, obey your father's commands, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching:
21Bind them continually upon your heart, and tie them about your neck.
22They will guide where you go; when you sleep, they shall watch over you; and when you awake, they shall accompany you;
23For my commands are a lamp, and the law is light, and correction and discipline are the way of life,
24Keeping you from an immoral woman, from her flattery.
25Do not lust in your heart for her beauty, nor let her take you with her coy glances.
26For a prostitute will bring you to poverty; but an affair with another man’s wife may cost you your life.
27Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29So is he that goes in to his neighbor's wife; whoever touches her shall not be innocent.
30Men do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy his hunger;
31But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole; even if it takes all the substance of his house.
32But whoever commits adultery with a woman has no sense; for he who does that destroys his own soul.
33Wounds and dishonor is what he will get; and his shame shall not be erased.
34For jealousy arouses a husband’s rage; and he will not show mercy in the day of his vengeance.
35He will not accept any restitution; nor will he be satisfied, regardless of what the peace offering may be. Proverbs 7 Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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