1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings and teachings attributed to King Solomon, known for his wisdom and understanding. Chapter 6 of Proverbs continues with this theme of imparting wisdom and knowledge to the readers. In this chapter, King Solomon addresses various topics such as the dangers of surety, the characteristics of a wicked person, and the importance of diligence and hard work.
The first section of chapter 6 deals with the concept of surety, which is the act of taking responsibility for someone else's debt or loan. King Solomon warns against becoming surety for a friend or acquaintance, as it can lead to financial ruin and strife. He uses the example of an ant who works hard to gather food in the summer to survive the winter, and advises the reader to learn from the ant's diligence and not to put oneself in a position of financial burden.
Furthermore, King Solomon emphasizes the importance of being cautious and discerning when it comes to taking on the responsibility of surety. He warns that surety can lead to being trapped by one's own words and being ensnared by the words of one's mouth. This cautionary message highlights the consequences of making hasty decisions and not considering the potential risks involved.
In the next section of chapter 6, King Solomon describes the characteristics of a wicked person. He uses vivid imagery to illustrate the actions and behaviors of a wicked person, such as their deceitful and manipulative ways. He warns against associating with such individuals, as their actions can lead to destruction and ruin.
King Solomon also highlights the importance of honesty and integrity, stating that the Lord detests a false witness and those who sow discord among brothers. This message serves as a reminder to the readers to always strive to be truthful and to avoid causing division and harm to others.
The final section of chapter 6 focuses on the importance of diligence and hard work. King Solomon uses the example of the ant once again, highlighting its diligence and hard work to gather food and prepare for the future. He urges the reader to learn from the ant and not to be lazy or idle, as laziness can lead to poverty and lack.
Furthermore, King Solomon emphasizes the importance of taking the initiative and not waiting for someone else to tell us what to do. He encourages the reader to be proactive and to use their time and resources wisely. This message serves as a reminder to be diligent and responsible in all aspects of life.
Chapter 6 of Proverbs serves as a guide for living a wise and successful life. It highlights the importance of being cautious and discerning when it comes to making decisions, as well as the dangers of taking on unnecessary burdens and responsibilities. It also warns against associating with wicked individuals and encourages honesty and integrity in all aspects of life.
The chapter also emphasizes the importance of diligence and hard work, using the example of the ant to illustrate the benefits of being diligent and responsible. It serves as a reminder to use our time and resources wisely and to take initiative in all aspects of life.
Overall, the main themes of this chapter are caution, wisdom, diligence, and integrity. It teaches us to be careful in our decisions, to seek wisdom and understanding, to be diligent and responsible, and to live with honesty and integrity. These lessons are still relevant today and can guide us towards a successful and fulfilling life.
Chapter 6 of Proverbs is a valuable source of wisdom and guidance for readers of all ages. It teaches us to be cautious and discerning, to avoid unnecessary burdens and responsibilities, to stay away from wicked individuals, and to live with diligence and integrity. It serves as a reminder to seek wisdom and understanding, to use our time and resources wisely, and to take responsibility for our actions. The lessons from this chapter are timeless and can be applied to various aspects of our lives, making it a valuable and meaningful chapter in the book of Proverbs.
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