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6:1  My son, if you will risk your family’s future to put up collateral for the debts of an acquaintance, if you seal a commitment with a handshake to someone without first knowing the value of his word,
6:2  Then your words may well be the trap that snares you, and your promise may seal your fate. You can’t be sure to whom you hitched your future.
6:3  So, my son—save yourself! Here’s what you need to do: go to that person who became your master with a handshake, humble yourself, and plead your case.
6:4  Do not sleep; don’t even rest your eyes until you deal with this.
6:5  Get out as quickly as possible, as a gazelle runs from the hand of the hunter, as a bird takes off from the grip of the fowler.
6:6  Take a lesson from the ant, you who love leisure and ease. Observe how it works, and dare to be just as wise.
6:7  It has no boss, no one laying down the law or telling it what to do,
6:8  Yet it gathers its food through summer and takes what it needs from the harvest.
6:9  How long do you plan to lounge your life away, you lazy fool? Will you ever get out of bed?
6:10  You say, “A little sleep, a little rest, a few more minutes, a nice little nap.”
6:11  But soon poverty will be on top of you like a robber; need will assault you like a well-armed warrior.
6:12  Someone who struts around taking advantage of unsuspecting souls and deceiving others is to be avoided.
6:13  With a wink of his eye, a quick shuffle of his feet, and a slight gesture with his hand, he signals his roguish treachery.
6:14  With a warped mind and twisted heart, he constantly looks for his own gain at others’ expense, causing friction everywhere he goes.
6:15  But you watch: his actions will bring sudden disaster! In an instant, his life will be shattered, and there will be nothing to save him.
6:16  Take note, there are six things the Eternal hates; no, make it seven He abhors:
6:17  Eyes that look down on others, a tongue that can’t be trusted, hands that shed innocent blood,
6:18  A heart that conceives evil plans, feet that sprint toward evil,
6:19  A false witness who breathes out lies, and anyone who stirs up trouble among the faithful.
6:20  So, my son, follow your father’s direction, and don’t forget what your mother taught you—
6:21  Keep their teachings close to your heart; engrave them on a pendant, and hang it around your neck.
6:22  Their instruction will guide you along your journey, guard you when you sleep, and address you when you wake in the morning.
6:23  For their direction is a lamp; their instruction will light your path, and their discipline will correct your missteps, sending you down the right path of life.
6:24  They will keep you far from the corrupted woman, away from the smooth talk of a seductive woman.
6:25  Do not lose yourself in desire for her beauty or let her win you over with her painted eyes,
6:26  For you can buy a harlot with a loaf of bread, but sex with another man’s wife will cost you your life.
6:27  Can you carry fire right next to your body and keep your clothes from burning?
6:28  Can you walk over fiery coals and keep your feet from blistering?
6:29  Take another man’s wife, and you will find out— whoever touches her will be found guilty.
6:30  People don’t despise a thief who only steals to fill his hunger;
6:31  Still if they catch him, he must repay seven times over— he could end up losing everything he owns!
6:32  By contrast only a fool would commit adultery since by his action he loses not only his possessions but also his own life.
6:33  He will suffer injury and be disgraced; dishonor will leave a permanent mark on his life.
6:34  For jealousy sparks a husband’s rage— when he gets his revenge, he’ll show no mercy.
6:35  He will not be paid off or appeased; no bribe or gift will set things right.