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6:1  My son, don’t promise to pay for what your neighbor owes. Don’t agree to pay a stranger’s bill.
6:2  Don’t be trapped by what you have said. Don’t be caught by the words of your mouth.
6:3  Instead, my son, do something to free yourself. Don’t fall into your neighbor’s hands. Go until you can’t go anymore. Don’t let your neighbor rest.
6:4  Don’t let your eyes go to sleep. Don’t let your eyelids close.
6:5  As a deer frees itself from a hunter, free yourself. As a bird frees itself from a trapper, free yourself.
6:6  You people who don’t want to work, think about the ant! Consider its ways and be wise!
6:7  It has no commander. It has no leader or ruler.
6:8  But it stores up its food in summer. It gathers its food at harvest time.
6:9  You lazy people, how long will you lie there? When will you get up from your sleep?
6:10  You might sleep a little or take a little nap. You might even fold your hands and rest.
6:11  Then you would be poor, as if someone had robbed you. You would have little, as if someone had stolen from you.
6:12  An evil troublemaker goes around saying twisted things with his mouth.
6:13  He winks with his eyes. He makes signals with his feet. He motions with his fingers.
6:14  His plans are evil, and he has lies in his heart. He is always stirring up fights.
6:15  Trouble will catch up with him in an instant. He will suddenly be destroyed, and nothing can save him.
6:16  There are six things the Lord hates. In fact, he hates seven things.
6:17  The Lord hates proud eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who aren’t guilty.
6:18  He also hates hearts that make evil plans and feet that are quick to do evil.
6:19  He hates any witness who pours out lies and anyone who stirs up conflict in the community.
6:20  My son, keep your father’s command. Don’t turn away from your mother’s teaching.
6:21  Always tie them on your heart. Put them around your neck.
6:22  When you walk, they will guide you. When you sleep, they will watch over you. When you wake up, they will speak to you.
6:23  Your father’s command is like a lamp. Your mother’s teaching is like a light. And whatever instructs and corrects you leads to life.
6:24  It keeps you from your neighbor’s wife. It keeps you from the smooth talk of a woman who commits adultery.
6:25  Don’t hunger in your heart after her beauty. Don’t let her eyes capture you.
6:26  A prostitute can be bought for only a loaf of bread. But another man’s wife hunts your very life.
6:27  You can’t shovel fire into your lap without burning your clothes.
6:28  You can’t walk on hot coals without burning your feet.
6:29  It’s the same for anyone who has sex with another man’s wife. Anyone who touches her will be punished.
6:30  People don’t hate a thief who steals to fill his empty stomach.
6:31  But when he is caught, he must pay seven times as much as he stole. It may even cost him everything he has.
6:32  A man who commits adultery has no sense. Anyone who does it destroys himself.
6:33  He will be beaten up and dishonored. His shame will never be wiped away.
6:34  Jealousy stirs up a husband’s anger. He will show no mercy when he gets even.
6:35  He won’t accept any payment. He won’t take any money, no matter how much he is offered.