[1] My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, [2] you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. [3] So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion—and give your neighbor no rest! [4] Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. [5] Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. [6] Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! [7] It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, [8] yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. [9] How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? [10] A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— [11] and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
