1 My son, if you have taken a pledge on behalf of your friend, then you have bound your hand to an outsider,
2 then you are ensnared by the words of your own mouth, and taken captive by your own words.
3 Therefore, my son, do what I say, and free yourself, for you have fallen into the hand of your neighbor. Run, hurry, awaken your friend.
4 Do not grant sleep to your eyes, nor let your eyelids slumber.
5 Rescue yourself like a gazelle from the hand, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, you lazy one, and consider her ways, and so learn wisdom.
7 For though she has no ruler, nor instructor, nor leader,