1 MY SON, if you have become security for your neighbor, if you have given your pledge for a stranger or another, 2 You are snared with the words of your lips, you are caught by the speech of your mouth. 3 Do this now [at once and earnestly], my son, and deliver yourself when you have put yourself into the 1 power of your neighbor; go, bestir and humble yourself, and beg your neighbor [to pay his debt and thereby release you]. 4 Give not [unnecessary] sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids; 5 Deliver yourself, as a roe or gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!-- 7 Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provides her food in the summer and gathers her supplies in the harvest. 9 How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down and sleep-- 11 So will your poverty come like a robber or one who travels [with slowly but surely approaching steps] and your want like an armed man [making you helpless].
12 A worthless person, a wicked man, is he who goes about with a perverse (contrary, wayward) mouth. 13 He winks with his eyes, he speaks by shuffling or tapping with his feet, he makes signs [to mislead and deceive] and teaches with his fingers. 14 Willful and contrary in his heart, he devises trouble, vexation, and evil continually; he lets loose discord and sows it. 15 Therefore upon him shall the crushing weight of calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken, and that without remedy.
16 These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.