Proverbs 6:1-18 ▼

1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor or entered into an agreement with a stranger,

2 you have been snared by the words of your mouth— trapped by the words from your mouth.

3 Do this, then, my son, and free yourself, for you have put yourself in your neighbor’s power: Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.

4 Don’t give sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids.

5 Escape like a gazelle from a hunter, like a bird from a hunter’s trap.

6 Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise.

7 Without leader, administrator, or ruler,

8 it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.

9 How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,

11 and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.

12 A worthless person, a wicked man goes around speaking dishonestly,

13 winking his eyes, signaling with his feet, and gesturing with his fingers.

14 He always plots evil with perversity in his heart; he stirs up trouble.

15 Therefore calamity will strike him suddenly; he will be shattered instantly, beyond recovery.

16 The LORD hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to him:

17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil,