Proverbs 6
Warnings Against Foolishness
My son, if you've guaranteed your neighbor's debt,
shook hands on a deal with a stranger you've met,
if you have been trapped by a promise you've made,
ensnared by your words until all is repaid,
then do this, my son, to remove this demand,
since you're at the mercy of your neighbor's hand:
first, swallow your pride and then go plead your case,
and beg till your neighbor has your name erased.
No sleep and no slumber, ignoring the sun;
don't take any rest till your mission is done.
Like deer, from the hunter, escape while you may,
and flee like a bird from the nets that they lay.
Go, sluggard, observe now, the ant with your eyes;
consider her diligent ways and be wise.
She has no commander or prince she can call;
without any chief or a ruler at all,
she labors all summer, preparing her bread,
and gathers her food for the winter ahead.
How long will you slumber? How long till you rise?
O sluggard, how long till you open your eyes?
A little more sleep, just a little more rest,
a little more folding my hands on my breast.
And so will your poverty strike like a thief,
of want and of need — you will have no relief.
A man who is vile and a wicked man, each
will lie through their teeth and will have crooked speech;
he winks with his eye, makes signs with his feet,
he points with his fingers in utter deceit.
Perverted, the wicked will plot in his heart;
he'll sow and stir discord that tears friends apart.
Disaster will strike him which he failed to see;
and he will be broken beyond remedy.
There's six things the LORD hates, that he has professed,
yea, seven that he absolutely detests:
the eyes of the haughty, the tongues that will lie,
the hands that shed blood and let innocent die,
the heart that will ponder and think evil thoughts,
the feet that are swift and pursue wicked plots,
those bearing false witness and uttering lies,
and those sowing discord to break family ties.
My son, if you've guaranteed your neighbor's debt,
shook hands on a deal with a stranger you've met,
if you have been trapped by a promise you've made,
ensnared by your words until all is repaid,
then do this, my son, to remove this demand,
since you're at the mercy of your neighbor's hand:
first, swallow your pride and then go plead your case,
and beg till your neighbor has your name erased.
No sleep and no slumber, ignoring the sun;
don't take any rest till your mission is done.
Like deer, from the hunter, escape while you may,
and flee like a bird from the nets that they lay.
Go, sluggard, observe now, the ant with your eyes;
consider her diligent ways and be wise.
She has no commander or prince she can call;
without any chief or a ruler at all,
she labors all summer, preparing her bread,
and gathers her food for the winter ahead.
How long will you slumber? How long till you rise?
O sluggard, how long till you open your eyes?
A little more sleep, just a little more rest,
a little more folding my hands on my breast.
And so will your poverty strike like a thief,
of want and of need — you will have no relief.
A man who is vile and a wicked man, each
will lie through their teeth and will have crooked speech;
he winks with his eye, makes signs with his feet,
he points with his fingers in utter deceit.
Perverted, the wicked will plot in his heart;
he'll sow and stir discord that tears friends apart.
Disaster will strike him which he failed to see;
and he will be broken beyond remedy.
There's six things the LORD hates, that he has professed,
yea, seven that he absolutely detests:
the eyes of the haughty, the tongues that will lie,
the hands that shed blood and let innocent die,
the heart that will ponder and think evil thoughts,
the feet that are swift and pursue wicked plots,
those bearing false witness and uttering lies,
and those sowing discord to break family ties.
Warning Against Adultery
My son, keep forever your father's commands,
remember the teachings by you mother's hands.
And keep them in your heart where they can remain,
upon your neck, bind them as you would a chain.
Wherever you go, they will act as your guide;
whenever you sleep, they will be at your side;
when you are awake, in your home or the field,
then you'll receive counsel as wisdom's revealed.
The Law of the LORD is a lamp, burning bright;
reproofs of instruction will lead you through life,
to keep from the woman whose morals are loose,
smooth-talking seductress who aims to seduce.
Lust not in your heart for her beauty and guise,
nor captured by winks of her flirtatious eyes.
The prostitute's price is a mere loaf of bread;
another man's wife, though, costs your life instead.
Can man embrace fire yet not be concerned
that garments he's wearing won't singe or be burned?
Can he walk on coals that are glowing with heat,
and think that he won't get severely scorched feet?
For such is the man with another man's wife;
for that, he will not go unpunished in life.
Some people despise not the thief who steals meat,
who robs for he's hungry and starving to eat.
Yet, if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,
though all that he has in his house must be sold.
But those men committing adultery lack sense,
destroying themselves at their own soul's expense.
For he will be wounded, his honor disgraced,
his shame cannot ever be wiped or erased.
For jealousy causes a husband to rage,
and pay back with pain the adulterer's wage.
For nothing of value would help compensate,
and bribes won't appease him no matter how great.
My son, keep forever your father's commands,
remember the teachings by you mother's hands.
And keep them in your heart where they can remain,
upon your neck, bind them as you would a chain.
Wherever you go, they will act as your guide;
whenever you sleep, they will be at your side;
when you are awake, in your home or the field,
then you'll receive counsel as wisdom's revealed.
The Law of the LORD is a lamp, burning bright;
reproofs of instruction will lead you through life,
to keep from the woman whose morals are loose,
smooth-talking seductress who aims to seduce.
Lust not in your heart for her beauty and guise,
nor captured by winks of her flirtatious eyes.
The prostitute's price is a mere loaf of bread;
another man's wife, though, costs your life instead.
Can man embrace fire yet not be concerned
that garments he's wearing won't singe or be burned?
Can he walk on coals that are glowing with heat,
and think that he won't get severely scorched feet?
For such is the man with another man's wife;
for that, he will not go unpunished in life.
Some people despise not the thief who steals meat,
who robs for he's hungry and starving to eat.
Yet, if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,
though all that he has in his house must be sold.
But those men committing adultery lack sense,
destroying themselves at their own soul's expense.
For he will be wounded, his honor disgraced,
his shame cannot ever be wiped or erased.
For jealousy causes a husband to rage,
and pay back with pain the adulterer's wage.
For nothing of value would help compensate,
and bribes won't appease him no matter how great.
|
|
|
|
|