Proverbs 6

₁My child, suppose you agree

to pay the debt of someone,

who cannot repay a loan.

₂Then you are trapped

by your own words,

₃and you are now in the power

of someone else.

Here is what you should do:

go and beg for permission

to call off the agreement.

₄Do this before you fall asleep

or even get sleepy.

₅Save yourself, just as a deer

or a bird tries to escape

from a hunter.

₆You lazy people can learn

by watching an anthill.

₇Ants don't have leaders,

₈but they store up food

during harvest season.

₉How long will you lie there

doing nothing at all?

When are you going to get up

and stop sleeping?

₁₀Sleep a little. Doze a little.

Fold your hands

and twiddle your thumbs.

₁₁Suddenly, everything is gone,

as though it had been taken

by an armed robber.

₁₂Worthless liars go around

₁₃winking and giving signals

to deceive others.

₁₄They are always thinking up

something cruel and evil,

and they stir up trouble.

₁₅But they will be struck

by sudden disaster

and left without a hope.

₁₆There are six or seven

kinds of people

the LORD doesn't like:

₁₇Those who are too proud

or tell lies or murder,

₁₈those who make evil plans

or are quick to do wrong,

₁₉those who tell lies in court

or stir up trouble

in a family.

₂₀Obey the teaching

of your parents—

₂₁always keep it in mind

and never forget it.

₂₂Their teaching will guide you

when you walk,

protect you when you sleep,

and talk to you

when you are awake.

₂₃The Law of the Lord is a lamp,

and its teachings

shine brightly.

Correction and self-control

will lead you through life.

₂₄They will protect you

from the flattering words

of someone else's wife.

₂₅Don't let yourself be attracted

by the charm and lovely eyes

of someone like that.

₂₆A woman who sells her love

can be bought for as little

as the price of a meal.

But making love

to another man's wife

will cost you everything.

₂₇If you carry burning coals,

you burn your clothes;

₂₈if you step on hot coals,

you burn your feet.

₂₉And if you go to bed

with another man's wife,

you pay the price.

₃₀We don't put up with thieves,

not even with one who steals

for something to eat.

₃₁And thieves who get caught

must pay back

seven times what was stolen

and lose everything.

₃₂But if you go to bed

with another man's wife,

you will destroy yourself

by your own stupidity.

₃₃You will be beaten

and for ever disgraced,

₃₄because a jealous husband

can be furious and merciless

when he takes revenge.

₃₅He won't let you pay him off,

no matter what you offer.