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6:1  My son, if you have become surety (guaranteed a debt or obligation) for your neighbor, If you have given your pledge for [the debt of] a stranger or another [outside your family],
6:2  If you have been snared with the words of your lips, If you have been trapped by the speech of your mouth,
6:3  Do this now, my son, and release yourself [from the obligation]; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor [to pay his debt and release you].
6:4  Give no [unnecessary] sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids;
6:5  Tear yourself away like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6:6  Go to the ant, O lazy one; Observe her ways and be wise,
6:7  Which, having no chief, Overseer or ruler,
6:8  She prepares her food in the summer And brings in her provisions [of food for the winter] in the harvest.
6:9  How long will you lie down, O lazy one? When will you arise from your sleep [and learn self-discipline]?
6:10  “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to lie down and rest”—
6:11  So your poverty will come like an approaching prowler who walks [slowly, but surely] And your need [will come] like an armed man [making you helpless].
6:12  A worthless person, a wicked man, Is one who walks with a perverse (corrupt, vulgar) mouth.
6:13  Who winks with his eyes [in mockery], who shuffles his feet [to signal], Who points with his fingers [to give subversive instruction];
6:14  Who perversely in his heart plots trouble and evil continually; Who spreads discord and strife.
6:15  Therefore [the crushing weight of] his disaster will come suddenly upon him; Instantly he will be broken, and there will be no healing or remedy [because he has no heart for God].
6:16  These six things the Lord hates; Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him:
6:17  A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,
6:18  A heart that creates wicked plans, Feet that run swiftly to evil,
6:19  A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths], And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.
6:20  My son, be guided by your father’s [God-given] commandment (instruction) And do not reject the teaching of your mother;
6:21  Bind them continually upon your heart (in your thoughts), And tie them around your neck.
6:22  When you walk about, they (the godly teachings of your parents) will guide you; When you sleep, they will keep watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you.
6:23  For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light, And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life,
6:24  To keep you from the evil woman, From [the flattery of] the smooth tongue of an immoral woman.
6:25  Do not desire (lust after) her beauty in your heart, Nor let her capture you with her eyelashes.
6:26  For on account of a prostitute one is reduced to a piece of bread [to be eaten up], And the immoral woman hunts [with a hook] the precious life [of a man].
6:27  Can a man take fire to his chest And his clothes not be burned?
6:28  Or can a man walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched?
6:29  So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her will not be found innocent or go unpunished.
6:30  People do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry;
6:31  But when he is found, he must repay seven times [what he stole]; He must give all the property of his house [if necessary to meet his fine].
6:32  But whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks common sense and sound judgment and an understanding [of moral principles]; He who would destroy his soul does it.
6:33  Wounds and disgrace he will find, And his reproach (blame) will not be blotted out.
6:34  For jealousy enrages the [wronged] husband; He will not spare [the guilty one] on the day of vengeance.
6:35  He will not accept any ransom [offered to buy him off from demanding full punishment]; Nor will he be satisfied though you offer him many gifts (bribes).