Dangerous Promises
1My son, if you become 6:1 guaranty or collateralsurety for your friend,
If you have 6:1 Lit. struckshaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2You are snared by the words of your mouth;
You are taken by the words of your mouth.
3So do this, my son, and deliver yourself;
For you have come into the hand of your friend:
Go and humble yourself;
Plead with your friend.
4Give no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids.
5Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
And like a bird from the hand of the 6:5 One who catches birds in a trap or snarefowler.
The Folly of Indolence
6Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
7Which, having no 6:7 Lit. leadercaptain,
Overseer or ruler,
8Provides her 6:8 Lit. breadsupplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
9How long will you 6:9 Lit. lie downslumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
10A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep—
11So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.
The Wicked Man
12A worthless person, a wicked man,
Walks with a perverse mouth;
13He winks with his eyes,
He 6:13 gives signals, lit. scrapesshuffles his feet,
He points with his fingers;
14Perversity is in his heart,
He devises evil continually,
He sows discord.
15Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly;
Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.
Yes, seven are an abomination to 6:16 Lit. His soulHim:
17A6:17 Lit. Haughty eyes proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
Beware of Adultery
20My son, keep your father’s command,
And do not forsake the law of your mother.
21Bind them continually upon your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
22When you roam, 6:22 Lit. itthey will lead you;
When you sleep, they will keep you;
And when you awake, they will speak with you.
23For the commandment is a lamp,
And the law a light;
Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
24To keep you from the evil woman,
From the flattering tongue of a seductress.
25Do not lust after her beauty in your heart,
Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.
26For by means of a harlot
A man is reduced to a crust of bread;
And 6:26 Wife of another, lit. a man’s wifean adulteress will prey upon his precious life.
27Can a man take fire to his bosom,
And his clothes not be burned?
28Can one walk on hot coals,
And his feet not be seared?
29So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;
Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.
30People do not despise a thief
If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.
31Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold;
He may have to give up all the substance of his house.
32Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding;
He who does so destroys his own soul.
33Wounds and dishonor he will get,
And his reproach will not be wiped away.
34For jealousy is a husband’s fury;
Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35He will 6:35 Lit. lift up the face of anyaccept no recompense,
Nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
