Warnings

Against Suretyship

6 My son if you have gone bail for your neighbour,

and given your pledge for another;

2 if by your own lips you are snared,

and are trapped by the words of your mouth:

3 then this do, my son, and free yourself,

since you have come into his power.

Go, stir youself, besiege your neighbour;

4 give no sleep to your eyes.

nor slumber to your eyelids,

5 shake yourself free, like a roe, from the snare,

or a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Against Indolence

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;

consider her ways, and be wise,

7 without officer, ruler, or chief,

8 she provides her bread in the summer.

and gathers her food in the harvest.

9 How long will you lie, O sluggard?

When will you rise from your sleep?

10 ‘Just a little more sleep, a little more slumber,

a little more lying with folded hands.’

11 So will poverty come on you like a robber,

and want like an armed man.

Against Underhand Mischief-making

12 Sunk in wickedness is the man

whose speech is ingrained with falsehood –

13 who winks his eyes,

or shuffles his feet,

or makes signs with his fingers,

14 gives his mind to the planning of mischief,

and always is scattering discord.

15 For these things will sudden disaster assail him;

he will swiftly be crushed beyond all hope of healing.

Seven Detestable Things

16 Six things there are which the Lord detests,

yes, seven does He abhor:

17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a mind that plans wicked devices,

and feet that are swift to do wrong,

19 a false witness that utters lies,

One that scatters strife among brethren.