Berean Study Bible | Berean Study Bible |
1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger, | 1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger, |
2if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth, | 2if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth, |
3then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go, humble yourself, and press your plea with your neighbor. | 3then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go, humble yourself, and press your plea with your neighbor. |
4Allow no sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids. | 4Allow no sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids. |
5Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. | 5Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. |
6Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. | 6Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. |
7Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, | 7Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, |
8it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. | 8it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. |
9How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? | 9How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? |
10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, | 10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, |
11and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit. | 11and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit. |
12A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, | 12A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, |
13winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. | 13winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. |
14With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord. | 14With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord. |
15Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery. | 15Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery. |
16There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: | 16There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: |
17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, | 17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, |
18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, | 18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, |
19a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers. | 19a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers. |
20My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. | 20My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. |
21Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck. | 21Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck. |
22When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. | 22When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. |
23For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life, | 23For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life, |
24to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. | 24to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. |
25Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. | 25Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. |
26For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. | 26For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. |
27Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? | 27Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? |
28Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? | 28Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? |
29So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. | 29So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. |
30Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. | 30Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. |
31Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house. | 31Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house. |
32He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. | 32He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. |
33Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away. | 33Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away. |
34For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance. | 34For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance. |
35He will not be appeased by any ransom, or persuaded by lavish gifts. | 35He will not be appeased by any ransom, or persuaded by lavish gifts. |
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