1My son, if you serve as surety for your friend and you give your pledge to him, 2You are snared with the words of your mouth. You are captured by the words of your mouth! 3You are now in the power of that person. Here is what you should do: Go and beg for permission to call off the agreement. 4Do this before you fall asleep. Do not allow your eyes to close. 5Deliver your self like a deer from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler bird catcher. 6Go to the ant, you lazy person. Consider her ways and be wise! 7The lowly ant has no guide or overseer. 8It prepares its food in the summer and gathers food at the harvest. 9How long will you sleep, O lazy person? When will you arise from your sleep? 10»A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest. 11Your poverty comes like a traveler. Your need comes like an armed man. 12An ungodly person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth. 13He winks with his eyes, he speaks with his feet, he teaches with his fingers. 14Fraud is in his heart, he devises mischief continually; he sows discord. 15His disaster will come suddenly. Suddenly he is broken beyond repair. 16Jehovah hates these six things: Yes, seven are an abomination to him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18A heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run quickly to badness, 19A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brothers. 20My son, obey your father's command, and do not abandon the law of your mother: 21Constantly bind them upon your heart, and tie them about your neck. 22When you go, they will lead you; when you sleep they will watch over you and when you awake, they will talk to you. 23For the commandment is a lamp. The law is light. Reproofs for instruction are the way of life. 24This will keep you from the evil woman and from the smooth tongue of an adulterous woman. 25Do not lust after her beauty in your heart. Do not let her attract you with her eyelids. 26A prostitute will cost you your last crust of bread. An adulteress will cost you your life. 27Can a man have fire in his lap and his clothes not be burned? 28Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 29He who has sex with another mans wife; anyone who embraces her will not be innocent. 30Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. 31But if he is caught, he must repay sevenfold. He must give everything in his house. 32He who commits adultery with a woman lacks judgment and destroys himself. 33He will get wounds and be dishonored. His shame will not be wiped away. 34Jealousy enrages a man. He will not be spared in the day of vengeance. 35He will not regard any ransom, nor will he be content when you give many gifts.