Proverbs 6:1-11 ▼

1 My son, if you have been surety for your neighbor, or have struck your hand for the stranger,

2 or have been lured by the words of your mouth, captured by the words of your mouth,

3 then you must do this my son, and deliver yourself, for you have come into the palm of your neighbor: Go humble yourself, and press your neighbor.

4 You should not give sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids—

5 snatch yourself like a gazelle from the hand, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, O sluggish one; see her ways and become wise:

7 Which there is not unto her a chief, an official, or ruler,

8 she prepares her bread in summer, she has gathered her food in the harvest.

9 Until when, O sluggish one, will you slumber? When will you rise from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down,

11 and your poverty comes like one walking, and your need like a man of shield.