Proverbs 6:1-19

1My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken 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 fowler.

6Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,

7Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,

8Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.

9How long will you slumber, 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.

12A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth;

13He winks with his eyes, He shuffles 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.

16These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

17A 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.