Don't Be Foolish

1 My 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?

10 Sleep 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

13 winking 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 forever 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.