1 My son, if you become surety for your friend, if you have struck your hand with a stranger,
2 You are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, when you have come into the hand of your friend; go, humble yourself, and plead with your friend.
4 Give not sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.
5 Deliver yourself as a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Who having no guide, overseer, or ruler,