1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 thou art snared with the words of thy mouth; thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, for thou hast fallen into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5 Escape as a roe from the hand of the hunter and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise,
7 Who having no guide, overseer, or ruler,