1. My son, if you have put up security for your neighbour,if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2. you have been trapped by what you said,ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3. So do this, my son, to free yourself,since you have fallen into your neighbour’s hands:go – to the point of exhaustion –and give your neighbour no rest!
4. Allow no sleep to your eyes,no slumber to your eyelids.
5. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6. Go to the ant, you sluggard;consider its ways and be wise!
7. It has no commander,no overseer or ruler,
8. yet it stores its provisions in summerand gathers its food at harvest.