Study Desk

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor^[a] or entered into an agreement with^[b] a stranger,^[c](a)

you have been trapped by the words of your lips^[d]— ensnared by the words of your mouth.

Do 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.

Don't give sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids.^(b)

Escape like a gazelle from a hunter,^[e] like a bird from a fowler's trap.^[f](c)

Go to the ant,^(d) you slacker!^(e) Observe its ways and become wise.

Without leader, administrator, or ruler,

it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.^(f)

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

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,^(g)

and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.^(h)

A worthless person,⁽ⁱ⁾ a wicked man goes around speaking dishonestly,^(j)

winking^(k) his eyes, signaling with his feet, and gesturing with his fingers.

He always plots evil^(l) with perversity in his heart— he stirs up trouble.^(m)

Therefore calamity will strike him suddenly; he will be shattered instantly—beyond recovery.⁽ⁿ⁾

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

arrogant eyes,^(o) a lying tongue,^(p) hands that shed innocent blood,^(q)

a heart that plots wicked schemes,^(r) feet eager to run to evil,^(s)

a lying witness who gives false testimony,^(t) and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.^(u)

My son, keep your father's command, and don't reject your mother's teaching.^(v)

Always bind them to your heart; tie them around your neck.^(w)

When you walk here and there, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you wake up, they will talk to you.

For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light,^(x) and corrective discipline is the way to life.^(y)

They will protect you from an evil woman,^[g] from the flattering^[h] tongue of a stranger.^(z)

Don't lust in your heart for her beauty^(aa) or let her captivate you with her eyelashes.^(ab)

For a prostitute's fee is only a loaf of bread,^[i] but an adulteress^[j] goes after a precious life.^(ac)

Can a man embrace fire^[k] and his clothes not be burned?

Can a man walk on burning coals without scorching his feet?

So it is with the one who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.^(ad)

People don't despise the thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry.^(ae)

Still, if caught, he must pay seven times as much;^(af) he must give up all the wealth in his house.

The one who commits adultery^[l] lacks sense; whoever does so destroys himself.^(ag)

He will get a beating^[m] and dishonor, and his disgrace will never be removed.

For jealousy enrages a husband,^(ah) and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.

He will not be appeased by anything or be persuaded by lavish gifts.