Add parallel Print Page Options

My son, if you are a guarantor for your neighbor, and have shaken hands with the stranger,

you are snared with the words of your mouth. You are taken with the words of your own mouth.

Do this now, my Son, and deliver yourself. Seeing you have come into the hand of your neighbor, go and humble yourself and solicit your friends.

Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.

Deliver yourself as a doe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Go to the ant, O sluggard! Consider her ways, and be wise.

For she, having no guide, governor, or ruler,

prepares her food in the summer and gathers her food in harvest.

How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of the sleep?

10 A little sleep. A little slumber. A little folding of the hands to sleep.

11 Therefore, your poverty comes as one who travels by the way; and your need like an armed man.

12 The unthrifty and the wicked walk with a crooked mouth.

13 He makes a sign with his eyes. He signifies with his feet. He instructs with his fingers.

14 Lewd things are in his heart. He imagines evil at all times and raises up contentions.

15 Therefore, his destruction shall come speedily. He shall be destroyed suddenly, without recovery.

16 These six things the LORD hates — indeed, his soul abhors seven —

17 the haughty eyes, a lying tongue, the hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that imagines wicked enterprises, feet that are swift in running to mischief,

19 a false witness that speaks lies, and he who raises up contentions among brothers.

20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s instruction.

21 Bind them always upon your heart. Tie them around your neck.

22 It shall lead you when you walk. It shall watch for you when you sleep. When you wake, it shall talk with you.

23 For the commandment is a lantern; and instruction a light. And corrections for instruction are the way of life

24 to keep you from the wicked woman and from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart, nor let her take you with her eye lids.

26 For because of the whorish woman, a man is brought to a morsel of bread. And a woman will hunt for the precious life of a man.

27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burnt?

28 Or can one go upon coals, and his feet not be burnt?

29 So he who goes into his neighbor’s wife, shall not be innocent, whoever touches her.

30 A thief is not despised when he steals to satisfy his soul because he is hungry.

31 But if he is found, he shall restore sevenfold. Or he shall give all the substance of his house.

32 But whoever commits adultery with a woman is destitute of understanding. He who does so destroys his own soul.

33 He shall find a wound and dishonor. And his reproach shall never be put away.

34 For jealousy is the rage of a man. Therefore, he will not spare on the day of vengeance.

35 He cannot bear the sight of any ransom, nor will he consent, though you augment the gifts.