1 My son, if you serve as surety for your friend and you give your pledge to him,

2 You are snared with the words of your mouth. You are captured by the words of your mouth!

3 You are now in the power of that person. Here is what you should do: Go and beg for permission to call off the agreement.

4 Do this before you fall asleep. Do not allow your eyes to close.

5 Deliver your self like a deer from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler bird catcher.

6 Go to the ant, you lazy person. Consider her ways and be wise!

7 The lowly ant has no guide or overseer.

8 It prepares its food in the summer and gathers food at the harvest.

9 How long will you sleep, O lazy person? When will you arise from your sleep?

10 »A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest.

11 Your poverty comes like a traveler. Your need comes like an armed man.

12 An ungodly person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth.

13 He winks with his eyes, he speaks with his feet, he teaches with his fingers.

14 Fraud is in his heart, he devises mischief continually; he sows discord.

15 His disaster will come suddenly. Suddenly he is broken beyond repair.

16 Jehovah hates these six things: Yes, seven are an abomination to him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run quickly to badness,

19 A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brothers.

20 My son, obey your father's command, and do not abandon the law of your mother:

21 Constantly bind them upon your heart, and tie them about your neck.

22 When you go, they will lead you; when you sleep they will watch over you and when you awake, they will talk to you.

23 For the commandment is a lamp. The law is light. Reproofs for instruction are the way of life.

24 This will keep you from the evil woman and from the smooth tongue of an adulterous woman.

25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart. Do not let her attract you with her eyelids.

26 A prostitute will cost you your last crust of bread. An adulteress will cost you your life.

27 Can a man have fire in his lap and his clothes not be burned?

28 Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

29 He who has sex with another mans wife; anyone who embraces her will not be innocent.

30 Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.

31 But if he is caught, he must repay sevenfold. He must give everything in his house.

32 He who commits adultery with a woman lacks judgment and destroys himself.

33 He will get wounds and be dishonored. His shame will not be wiped away.

34 Jealousy enrages a man. He will not be spared in the day of vengeance.

35 He will not regard any ransom, nor will he be content when you give many gifts.