Chapter Six

If you have put up security for your neighbor, or made a pledge to a stranger, if you have been snared by what you have said, trapped by the words that came out of your mouth, do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen under your neighbor’s power: humble yourself and strongly importune your neighbor.  Do not rest; allow yourself no sleep.  Flee like a gazelle from the weapons of the hunter; fly away like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 

Take note of the ant, you loafer; consider its ways and be wise.  It has no general, no supervisor, no ruler.  Yet, it gets food for itself in the summer and gathers provisions at harvest time.  How long will you lie around, you loafer?  When will you rouse yourself from your lethargy. For a little sleep, a short nap, a folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a bandit, privation will assault you like an armed robber.

Those who are worthless and wicked are the ones who use deceitful speech; they wink maliciously, make signs with their feet, and point with their fingers.  He of corrupt mind continually plots evil and sows discord.  Calamity will overtake him precipitously.  He will be broken suddenly and be beyond recovery.

There are six things Jehovah detests, indeed seven that are an abomination to him: an arrogant look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a mind that devises wicked schemes, feet that run quicky to evil, a false witness that spews lies, and one who incites discord within his family.

My son, obey your father’s commands and do not disregard the rules of your mother.  Keep them continually in mind, fasten them round your neck.  When you walk about, they will lead you.  When you sleep, they will watch over you.  When you awake, they will speak to you.  For the commandments are a lamp and the law is a light.

The reproofs of instruction is the way to life, keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of the adulterous woman.  In your heart, do not lust after her beauty, nor let her flashing eyes captivate you, for though a prostitute may cost you but the price of a loaf of bread, an adulterous wife goes after your precious life.  Can a man hold fire in his lap without burning his clothes?  Can he walk on hot coals without blistering his feet?  So it is having sexual relations with another man’s wife.  He who touches her will not go unpunished.

People do not despise a thief if he steals merely to fill his belly when he is hungry.  Yet, if he is caught, he must make a sevenfold compensation, even if he must give up all the goods of his house.  But a man who commits adultery has no sense; he only destroys himself.  He will be wounded and dishonored and the blot will never be wiped away.  For jealousy arouses a husband’s ire, and he will show no mercy when he exacts vengeance.  He will not accept any compensation; he will not be appeased no matter how much you increase the payoff.