Proverbs 6:1-11 ▼

1 My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor, Have given a pledge for a stranger,

2 If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, Have been caught with the words of your mouth,

3 Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.

4 Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids;

5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise,

7 Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler,

8 Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest.

9 How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?

10 “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest “—

11 Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man.