1 My child, suppose you agreeto pay the debt of someone,who cannot repay a loan.
2 Then you are trappedby your own words,
3 and you are now in the powerof someone else.Here is what you should do:Go and beg for permissionto call off the agreement.
4 Do this before you fall asleepor even get sleepy.
5 Save yourself, just as a deeror a bird tries to escapefrom a hunter.
6 You lazy people can learnby watching an anthill.
7 Ants don't have leaders,
8 but they store up foodduring harvest season.
9 How long will you lie theredoing nothing at all?When are you going to get upand stop sleeping?
10 Sleep a little. Doze a little.Fold your handsand twiddle your thumbs.
11 Suddenly, everything is gone,as though it had been takenby an armed robber.
12 Worthless liars go around
13 winking and giving signalsto deceive others.
14 They are always thinking upsomething cruel and evil,and they stir up trouble.
15 But they will be struckby sudden disasterand left without a hope.
16 There are six or sevenkinds of peoplethe Lord doesn't like:
17 Those who are too proudor tell lies or murder,
18 those who make evil plansor are quick to do wrong,
19 those who tell lies in courtor stir up troublein a family.
20 Obey the teachingof your parents—
21 always keep it in mindand never forget it.
22 Their teaching will guide youwhen you walk,protect you when you sleep,and talk to youwhen you are awake.
23 The Law of the Lord is a lamp,and its teachingsshine brightly.Correction and self-controlwill lead you through life.
24 They will protect youfrom the flattering wordsof someone else's wife.
25 Don't let yourself be attractedby the charm and lovely eyesof someone like that.
26 A woman who sells her lovecan be bought for as littleas the price of a meal.But making loveto another man's wifewill cost you everything.
27 If you carry burning coals,you burn your clothes;
28 if you step on hot coals,you burn your feet.
29 And if you go to bedwith another man's wife,you pay the price.
30 We don't put up with thieves,not even with one who stealsfor something to eat.
31 And thieves who get caughtmust pay backseven times what was stolenand lose everything.
32 But if you go to bedwith another man's wife,you will destroy yourselfby your own stupidity.
33 You will be beatenand forever disgraced,
34 because a jealous husbandcan be furious and mercilesswhen he takes revenge.
35 He won't let you pay him off,no matter what you offer.