Proverbs 6 - Amplified Bible(AMP)

Parental Counsel

1My son, if you have become surety (guaranteed a debt or obligation) for your neighbor,

If you have given your pledge for a stranger or another,

2If you have been snared with the words of your lips,

If you have been trapped by the speech of your mouth,

3Do this now, my son, and release yourself;

Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,

Go humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.

4Give no sleep to your eyes,

Nor slumber to your eyelids;

5Tear yourself away like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter

And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6¶Go to the ant, O lazy one;

Observe her ways and be wise,

7Which, having no chief,

Overseer or ruler,

8She prepares her food in the summer

And brings in her provisions in the harvest.

9How long will you lie down, O lazy one?

When will you arise from your sleep?

10“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to lie down and rest”—

11So your poverty will come like an approaching prowler who walks

And your need like an armed man.

12¶A worthless person, a wicked man,

Is one who walks with a perverse (corrupt, vulgar) mouth.

13Who winks with his eyes, who shuffles his feet,

Who points with his fingers;

14Who perversely in his heart plots trouble and evil continually;

Who spreads discord and strife.

15Therefore his disaster will come suddenly upon him;

Instantly he will be broken, and there will be no healing or remedy.

16¶These six things the Lord hates;

Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him:

17A proud look, a lying tongue,

And hands that shed innocent blood,

18A heart that creates wicked plans,

Feet that run swiftly to evil,

19A false witness who breathes out lies,

And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.

20¶My son, be guided by your father’s commandment (instruction)

And do not reject the teaching of your mother;

21Bind them continually upon your heart (in your thoughts),

And tie them around your neck.

22When you walk about, they (the godly teachings of your parents) will guide you;

When you sleep, they will keep watch over you;

And when you awake, they will talk to you.

23For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light,

And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life,

24To keep you from the evil woman,

From the smooth tongue of an immoral woman.

25Do not desire (lust after) her beauty in your heart,

Nor let her capture you with her eyelashes.

26For on account of a prostitute one is reduced to a piece of bread,

And the immoral woman hunts the precious life.

27Can a man take fire to his chest

And his clothes not be burned?

28Or can a man walk on hot coals

And his feet not be scorched?

29So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;

Whoever touches her will not be found innocent or go unpunished.

30People do not despise a thief if he steals

To satisfy himself when he is hungry;

31But when he is found, he must repay seven times;

He must give all the property of his house.

32But whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks common sense and sound judgment and an understanding;

He who would destroy his soul does it.

33Wounds and disgrace he will find,

And his reproach (blame) will not be blotted out.

34For jealousy enrages the husband;

He will not spare on the day of vengeance.

35He will not accept any ransom;

Nor will he be satisfied though you offer him many gifts (bribes).