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.