Proverbs 6:1-35 NIrV

[1] My son, don’t promise to pay for what your neighbor owes. Don’t agree to pay a stranger’s bill. [2] Don’t be trapped by what you have said. Don’t be caught by the words of your mouth. [3] Instead, my son, do something to free yourself. Don’t fall into your neighbor’s hands. Go until you can’t go anymore. Don’t let your neighbor rest. [4] Don’t let your eyes go to sleep. Don’t let your eyelids close. [5] As a deer frees itself from a hunter, free yourself. As a bird frees itself from a trapper, free yourself. [6] You people who don’t want to work, think about the ant! Consider its ways and be wise! [7] It has no commander. It has no leader or ruler. [8] But it stores up its food in summer. It gathers its food at harvest time. [9] You lazy people, how long will you lie there? When will you get up from your sleep? [10] You might sleep a little or take a little nap. You might even fold your hands and rest. [11] Then you would be poor, as if someone had robbed you. You would have little, as if someone had stolen from you. [12] An evil troublemaker goes around saying twisted things with his mouth. [13] He winks with his eyes. He makes signals with his feet. He motions with his fingers. [14] His plans are evil, and he has lies in his heart. He is always stirring up fights. [15] Trouble will catch up with him in an instant. He will suddenly be destroyed, and nothing can save him. [16] There are six things the LORD hates. In fact, he hates seven things. [17] The LORD hates proud eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who aren’t guilty. [18] He also hates hearts that make evil plans and feet that are quick to do evil. [19] He hates any witness who pours out lies and anyone who stirs up conflict in the community. [20] My son, keep your father’s command. Don’t turn away from your mother’s teaching. [21] Always tie them on your heart. Put them around your neck. [22] When you walk, they will guide you. When you sleep, they will watch over you. When you wake up, they will speak to you. [23] Your father’s command is like a lamp. Your mother’s teaching is like a light. And whatever instructs and corrects you leads to life. [24] It keeps you from your neighbor’s wife. It keeps you from the smooth talk of a woman who commits adultery. [25] Don’t hunger in your heart after her beauty. Don’t let her eyes capture you. [26] A prostitute can be bought for only a loaf of bread. But another man’s wife hunts your very life. [27] You can’t shovel fire into your lap without burning your clothes. [28] You can’t walk on hot coals without burning your feet. [29] It’s the same for anyone who has sex with another man’s wife. Anyone who touches her will be punished. [30] People don’t hate a thief who steals to fill his empty stomach. [31] But when he is caught, he must pay seven times as much as he stole. It may even cost him everything he has. [32] A man who commits adultery has no sense. Anyone who does it destroys himself. [33] He will be beaten up and dishonored. His shame will never be wiped away. [34] Jealousy stirs up a husband’s anger. He will show no mercy when he gets even. [35] He won’t accept any payment. He won’t take any money, no matter how much he is offered.