Proverbs 6:1-19

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

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

3Do 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.

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

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

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

7Without leader, administrator, or ruler,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.