1
My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2
You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth.
3
So 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.
4
Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids.
5
Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6
Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,
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Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,
8
Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.
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How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?
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A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep--
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So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.
12
A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth;
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He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers;
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Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord.
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Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.
16
These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
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A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
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A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
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A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
20
My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.
21
Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck.