1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor or entered into an agreement with a stranger,
2 you have been trapped by the words of your lips — ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3 Do this, then, my son, and free yourself, for you have put yourself in your neighbor’s power: Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.
4 Don’t give sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids.
5 Escape like a gazelle from a hunter, like a bird from a fowler’s trap.
6 Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise.
7 Without leader, administrator, or ruler,
8 it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.
9 How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,
11 and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit .
12 A worthless person, a wicked man goes around speaking dishonestly,
13 winking his eyes, signaling with his feet, and gesturing with his fingers.
14 He always plots evil with perversity in his heart — he stirs up trouble.
15 Therefore calamity will strike him suddenly; he will be shattered instantly — beyond recovery.
16 The LORD hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to Him :
17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil,
