1. My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor or entered into an agreement with a stranger,
2. you have been trapped by the words of your lips —ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3. 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.
4. Don’t give sleep to your eyesor slumber to your eyelids.
5. Escape like a gazelle from a hunter, like a bird from a fowler’s trap.
6. Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise.
7. Without leader, administrator, or ruler,
8. it prepares its provisions in summer;it gathers its food during harvest.
9. How long will you stay in bed, you slacker?When will you get up from your sleep?
10. A little sleep, a little slumber,a little folding of the arms to rest,
11. and your poverty will come like a robber,your need, like a bandit.
12. A worthless person, a wicked mangoes around speaking dishonestly,
13. winking his eyes, signaling with his feet,and gesturing with his fingers.
14. He always plots evil with perversity in his heart —he stirs up trouble.
15. Therefore calamity will strike him suddenly;he will be shattered instantly — beyond recovery.
16. The Lord hates six things;in fact, seven are detestable to Him:
17. arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18. a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil,