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Proverbs 6 meaning explained in AI Summary

Proverbs Chapter 6 can be divided into four main sections, each offering wisdom on avoiding various pitfalls in life:

1. Avoiding Financial Ruin (Verses 1-5): This section warns against being hasty in making financial commitments, especially for others. It emphasizes the importance of careful consideration and seeking release from unwise obligations.

  • Key Message: Think before you act, especially when it comes to finances and co-signing. Don't be trapped by rash promises.

2. Learning from the Ant (Verses 6-11): The diligence and foresight of the ant are presented as a model for the lazy person. The ant's industrious nature, even without a ruler, is contrasted with the sluggard's lack of initiative, leading to poverty.

  • Key Message: Hard work and preparation are essential for success. Laziness leads to ruin.

3. Recognizing the Wicked (Verses 12-19): This section describes the characteristics of a wicked person, highlighting their deceitful communication, manipulative behavior, and love for causing strife.

  • Key Message: Be aware of the signs of a wicked person and avoid their company. Their actions are destructive.

4. Guarding Against Sexual Immorality (Verses 20-35): The chapter concludes with a strong warning against adultery, emphasizing its devastating consequences. It portrays the allure of temptation but ultimately highlights the pain and destruction it brings.

  • Key Message: Sexual purity is crucial. Flee from temptation and the devastating consequences of adultery.

Overall, Proverbs Chapter 6 provides practical wisdom for navigating life's challenges, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, diligence, integrity, and self-control to avoid common pitfalls and live a fulfilling life.

Proverbs 6 bible study ai commentary

Proverbs chapter 6 is a collection of fatherly warnings to a son about various forms of folly that lead to personal and social ruin. It moves from financial imprudence to personal laziness, then to malicious character traits, and culminates in a lengthy and severe warning against adultery. The unifying theme is that foolish choices, which dishonor God and disregard wisdom, inevitably lead to self-destruction.

Proverbs 6 context

This chapter is part of the larger collection of Solomon's wisdom literature, intended to instruct young men in the ways of wisdom and righteousness within the covenant community of Israel. In the Ancient Near East, where legal and social structures were paramount, concepts like financial surety (pledging for another's debt) had life-altering implications, potentially leading to the loss of land, freedom, and family honor. Adultery was not merely a personal moral failing but a capital crime that violated covenant, threatened lineage, and could bring a blood feud upon a family. The warnings are therefore intensely practical, addressing real-world dangers that could destroy a person's life and standing.


Proverbs 6:1-5

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

In-depth-analysis

  • Surety: The word for surety ('arav) means to take on the debt or obligation of another. "Striking hands" was the ancient binding act of agreement, equivalent to a modern signature.
  • The Trap: The warning is against becoming "snared" or "caught" by one's own words. The agreement, likely made rashly, has become a trap from which one cannot easily escape. It's a matter of financial enslavement to a "neighbor" or, worse, a "stranger."
  • The Urgent Escape: The solution is not passive hope but immediate, frantic action. The advice is to "hasten" and "plead urgently," humbling oneself to be released from the vow. The imagery of a gazelle or bird escaping a hunter/fowler highlights the life-or-death urgency. Pride must be swallowed to regain freedom.

Bible references

  • Proverbs 11:15: "Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure." (A direct parallel warning)
  • Proverbs 22:26-27: "Do not be one of those who give pledges... if you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?" (Shows the dire consequence: total loss of property)
  • Luke 14:28-30: "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost..." (Jesus applies the principle of foresight to discipleship)

Cross references

Philemon 1:18-19 (Paul models a righteous form of surety); Prov 17:18 (A man lacking sense gives a pledge); Prov 20:16 (The consequence of foolish surety).


Proverbs 6:6-11

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

In-depth-analysis

  • Sluggard ('atsel): This is not just someone who is tired, but one who is habitually lazy, irresponsible, and lacks initiative.
  • The Ant's Wisdom: The ant is a model of self-motivated diligence. It works without external compulsion ("no chief, officer, or ruler") and demonstrates foresight by preparing for the future during a time of abundance (summer/harvest).
  • The Sluggard's Procrastination: The rhetorical questions mock the sluggard's perpetual state of rest. The "little sleep" is deceptive; it's a compounding habit of inaction.
  • Inevitable Consequence: Poverty and want are personified. They don't arrive gently; they come violently and irresistibly, like a "robber" (mehalek) or an "armed man" (ish magen), leaving the sluggard destitute and defenseless.

Bible references

  • Proverbs 24:30-34: "I passed by the field of a sluggard... and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns... Then I saw and considered it... and poverty will come upon you like a robber..." (An almost identical passage showing the observed results of laziness)
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:10: "For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." (The New Testament application of this principle within the church community)
  • John 9:4: "We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work." (Jesus highlights the need for diligent work in a limited time)

Cross references

Prov 10:4 (laziness vs. diligence); Prov 20:4 (sluggard doesn't plow); Prov 21:25 (desire kills sluggard); Eph 5:16 (making best use of time); Col 3:23 (working heartily for the Lord).


Proverbs 6:12-15

A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with a crooked mouth, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his fingers, with perversity in his heart devises evil, continually sowing discord. Therefore disaster will overtake him in a moment; he will be broken, and there will be no healing.

In-depth-analysis

  • Worthless Person ('adam beliyya'al): Beliyya'al signifies extreme wickedness, worthlessness, and destruction. This person is not just misguided but actively malevolent.
  • Holistic Corruption: The entire body is an instrument of deceit. The mouth is crooked, the eyes wink conspiratorially, and even the feet and fingers are used for subtle, wicked communication.
  • Internal Source, External Result: The root cause is "perversity in his heart." The primary manifestation of this evil is "continually sowing discord" (midyanim, strife or contention), tearing apart the fabric of community.
  • Sudden Judgment: Like the sluggard's poverty, the judgment on this person is sudden and catastrophic. The ruin is complete and final—"he will be broken, and there will be no healing."

Bible references

  • Psalm 101:7-8: "No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house... Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all evildoers from the city of the LORD." (The righteous king's resolve to purge such people from the community)
  • Proverbs 16:28: "A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends." (Directly links this type of character to the sin of sowing discord)
  • Titus 3:10-11: "As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful..." (The New Testament instruction for dealing with divisive people in the church)

Cross references

Psa 1:1 (The blessed man avoids this path); Psa 36:1-4 (description of the wicked); 2 Cor 6:15 (Belial used as a name for Satan); Jer 19:11 (the imagery of being broken beyond repair).


Proverbs 6:16-19

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

In-depth-analysis

  • Numerical Saying: The "six... seven" structure is a poetic form used for emphasis, indicating a complete and climactic list. "Hates" and "abomination" (to'ebah) are the strongest biblical terms for divine disapproval.
  • The List:
    1. Haughty eyes: Pride, arrogance. The foundational sin from which others spring.
    2. A lying tongue: Deceit; a perversion of truth.
    3. Hands that shed innocent blood: Violence and murder.
    4. A heart that devises wicked schemes: The internal origin of premeditated evil.
    5. Feet that make haste to run to evil: Eagerness to participate in sin.
    6. A false witness...: Perjury, the corruption of justice.
    7. One who sows discord among brothers: The climax. This sin destroys community and unity, which God prizes highly. This sin combines the others: it requires pride, lies, and a wicked heart.

Bible references

  • Psalm 10:2, 4: "In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor... In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, 'There is no God.'" (Connects haughtiness/pride to the root of wickedness)
  • Revelation 21:8: "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire..." (Lists many of these same sins as excluding one from God's Kingdom)
  • Zechariah 8:16-17: "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another... do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these are things that I hate, declares the LORD." (A similar list of things God hates, focused on justice and community)

Cross references

Psa 120:2-4 (hatred of lying); Prov 12:22 (lying lips are an abomination); Isa 1:15 (God hates hands full of blood); Mat 15:19 (evil thoughts come from the heart); John 13:35 (love for one another is the sign of discipleship, the opposite of discord).

Polemics: This list is a concise summary of violations against God's character and law. It moves from internal attitude (pride) to thoughts, actions, and finally to the devastating impact on community. Scholars note that the final item, sowing discord, is the culmination of the "worthless person" from the previous section (vv. 12-15) and is especially detestable because it undoes the covenantal harmony God desires for His people (Psalm 133:1).


Proverbs 6:20-35

...Keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching... When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you... For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light... to preserve you from the evil woman... Do not desire her beauty... for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts for a precious life... Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; none who touches her will go unpunished... But he who commits adultery... destroys himself... He will get wounds and dishonor... For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not accept any ransom...

In-depth-analysis

  • v. 20-23 The Protective Instruction: The chapter returns to its framing device: heeding parental (and by extension, divine) teaching. This wisdom is a "lamp" and a "light," an active guide and protector.
  • v. 24-26 The Cost: Adultery's price is deceptively low ("a loaf of bread") yet infinitely high ("a precious life"). The adulteress hunts for the very soul and existence of a man.
  • v. 27-29 The Inevitable Consequence: Two powerful rhetorical questions illustrate that engaging with this sin guarantees painful consequences. Contact (touches her) ensures punishment.
  • v. 30-34 The Unpardonable Crime: A contrast is drawn with a thief who steals from hunger. While the thief is punished and must make restitution (sevenfold), his motive is understandable. The adulterer, however, has no such excuse; his act is one of "lack of sense" that is purely self-destructive ("destroys himself"). The shame is permanent ("disgrace that is not wiped away").
  • v. 35 The Unappeasable Rage: Unlike theft, which can be settled with money, adultery provokes a jealous rage in the wronged husband that is implacable. No amount of money ("ransom") can buy him off. The vengeance is personal and absolute, leading to total social and physical ruin for the adulterer.

Bible references

  • Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Directly parallels the description of the commandment/teaching as a lamp and light)
  • Genesis 39:9: "...How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (Joseph's response to Potiphar's wife shows that the ultimate reason to flee adultery is its offense against God)
  • Matthew 5:28: "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Jesus internalizes the command, showing the sin begins with desire, as warned in v. 25)
  • 1 Corinthians 6:18: "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body." (Echoes the self-destructive nature of adultery described in v. 32)

Cross references

Exo 20:14 (the seventh commandment); Lev 20:10 (the death penalty for adultery); 2 Sam 11 (David's adultery and its devastating consequences); Prov 5:3-14 (another extensive warning); Heb 13:4 (God will judge the sexually immoral).


Proverbs chapter 6 analysis

  • Wisdom as a Shield: A recurring motif is that heeding the instruction of the parents—which is a vessel for God's wisdom—is the primary defense against every trap described in the chapter (vv. 20-24).
  • The Inevitability of Consequence: The chapter repeatedly uses language of certainty and suddenness regarding the outcome of folly: "poverty will come upon you like a robber" (v. 11), "disaster will overtake him in a moment" (v. 15), and "he will not go unpunished" (v. 29). The proverbs teach a principle of cause and effect that is built into the moral fabric of the world.
  • The Figure of the "Strange Woman": The adulteress ('ishshah zarah / nokriyah) in Proverbs functions on two levels. She is a literal temptation posing a real-world danger. Symbolically, she also represents "Lady Folly," the anti-wisdom figure who seduces the naive away from God and toward death, contrasting with "Lady Wisdom" who calls people to life (Prov 8-9).
  • Escalation of Ruin: The chapter progresses from dangers that are primarily financial (surety) and personal (sloth) to those that are social (discord) and finally to a sin that encompasses total personal, social, and spiritual destruction (adultery).

Proverbs 6 summary

This chapter provides four practical warnings against actions that lead to ruin. It counsels against reckless financial agreements, condemns lazy inaction by contrasting it with the diligent ant, describes the wicked, divisive person whom God detests, and provides a stark, lengthy warning on the uniquely destructive and irreversible consequences of adultery. The central message is that wisdom protects and folly destroys.

Proverbs 6 AI Image Audio and Video

Proverbs chapter 6 kjv

  1. 1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
  2. 2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
  3. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
  4. 4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
  5. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
  6. 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
  7. 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
  8. 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
  9. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
  10. 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
  11. 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
  12. 12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
  13. 13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
  14. 14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
  15. 15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
  16. 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
  17. 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
  18. 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
  19. 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
  20. 20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
  21. 21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
  22. 22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
  23. 23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
  24. 24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
  25. 25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
  26. 26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.
  27. 27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
  28. 28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
  29. 29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
  30. 30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
  31. 31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
  32. 32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
  33. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
  34. 34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
  35. 35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

Proverbs chapter 6 nkjv

  1. 1 My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
  2. 2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth.
  3. 3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; For you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourself; Plead with your friend.
  4. 4 Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids.
  5. 5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
  6. 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,
  7. 7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,
  8. 8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.
  9. 9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?
  10. 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep?
  11. 11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.
  12. 12 A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth;
  13. 13 He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers;
  14. 14 Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord.
  15. 15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.
  16. 16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
  17. 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
  18. 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
  19. 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
  20. 20 My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.
  21. 21 Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck.
  22. 22 When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you.
  23. 23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
  24. 24 To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress.
  25. 25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.
  26. 26 For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life.
  27. 27 Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?
  28. 28 Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared?
  29. 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.
  30. 30 People do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.
  31. 31 Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the substance of his house.
  32. 32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.
  33. 33 Wounds and dishonor he will get, And his reproach will not be wiped away.
  34. 34 For jealousy is a husband's fury; Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
  35. 35 He will accept no recompense, Nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.

Proverbs chapter 6 niv

  1. 1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
  2. 2 you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.
  3. 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. 4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.
  5. 5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
  6. 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
  7. 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
  8. 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
  9. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
  10. 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest?
  11. 11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
  12. 12 A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
  13. 13 who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,
  14. 14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart? he always stirs up conflict.
  15. 15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed?without remedy.
  16. 16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
  17. 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
  18. 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
  19. 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
  20. 20 My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
  21. 21 Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.
  22. 22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
  23. 23 For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,
  24. 24 keeping you from your neighbor's wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.
  25. 25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.
  26. 26 For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man's wife preys on your very life.
  27. 27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?
  28. 28 Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?
  29. 29 So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.
  30. 30 People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
  31. 31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
  32. 32 But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.
  33. 33 Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.
  34. 34 For jealousy arouses a husband's fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
  35. 35 He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.

Proverbs chapter 6 esv

  1. 1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger,
  2. 2 if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth,
  3. 3 then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.
  4. 4 Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber;
  5. 5 save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
  6. 6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
  7. 7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler,
  8. 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
  9. 9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
  10. 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
  11. 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
  12. 12 A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech,
  13. 13 winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger,
  14. 14 with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord;
  15. 15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.
  16. 16 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
  17. 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
  18. 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,
  19. 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
  20. 20 My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.
  21. 21 Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
  22. 22 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.
  23. 23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
  24. 24 to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
  25. 25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
  26. 26 for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
  27. 27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?
  28. 28 Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?
  29. 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.
  30. 30 People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
  31. 31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.
  32. 32 He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.
  33. 33 He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
  34. 34 For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
  35. 35 He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts.

Proverbs chapter 6 nlt

  1. 1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend's debt
    or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger ?
  2. 2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement
    and are caught by what you said ?
  3. 3 follow my advice and save yourself,
    for you have placed yourself at your friend's mercy.
    Now swallow your pride;
    go and beg to have your name erased.
  4. 4 Don't put it off; do it now!
    Don't rest until you do.
  5. 5 Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter,
    like a bird fleeing from a net.
  6. 6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.
    Learn from their ways and become wise!
  7. 7 Though they have no prince
    or governor or ruler to make them work,
  8. 8 they labor hard all summer,
    gathering food for the winter.
  9. 9 But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?
    When will you wake up?
  10. 10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest ?
  11. 11 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
    scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
  12. 12 What are worthless and wicked people like?
    They are constant liars,
  13. 13 signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye,
    a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers.
  14. 14 Their perverted hearts plot evil,
    and they constantly stir up trouble.
  15. 15 But they will be destroyed suddenly,
    broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.
  16. 16 There are six things the LORD hates ?
    no, seven things he detests:
  17. 17 haughty eyes,
    a lying tongue,
    hands that kill the innocent,
  18. 18 a heart that plots evil,
    feet that race to do wrong,
  19. 19 a false witness who pours out lies,
    a person who sows discord in a family.
  20. 20 My son, obey your father's commands,
    and don't neglect your mother's instruction.
  21. 21 Keep their words always in your heart.
    Tie them around your neck.
  22. 22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you.
    When you sleep, they will protect you.
    When you wake up, they will advise you.
  23. 23 For their command is a lamp
    and their instruction a light;
    their corrective discipline
    is the way to life.
  24. 24 It will keep you from the immoral woman,
    from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.
  25. 25 Don't lust for her beauty.
    Don't let her coy glances seduce you.
  26. 26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty,
    but sleeping with another man's wife will cost you your life.
  27. 27 Can a man scoop a flame into his lap
    and not have his clothes catch on fire?
  28. 28 Can he walk on hot coals
    and not blister his feet?
  29. 29 So it is with the man who sleeps with another man's wife.
    He who embraces her will not go unpunished.
  30. 30 Excuses might be found for a thief
    who steals because he is starving.
  31. 31 But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole,
    even if he has to sell everything in his house.
  32. 32 But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool,
    for he destroys himself.
  33. 33 He will be wounded and disgraced.
    His shame will never be erased.
  34. 34 For the woman's jealous husband will be furious,
    and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
  35. 35 He will accept no compensation,
    nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size.
  1. Bible Book of Proverbs
  2. 1 The Beginning of Knowledge
  3. 2 The Value of Wisdom
  4. 3 Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
  5. 4 Father's advice to get Wisdom
  6. 5 Warning Against Adultery
  7. 6 Practical Warnings
  8. 7 Warning Against the Adulteress
  9. 8 The Blessings of Wisdom
  10. 9 The Way of Wisdom
  11. 10 The Proverbs of Solomon
  12. 11 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
  13. 12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is
  14. 13 A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to
  15. 14 Wise Woman builds her house
  16. 15 A soft Answer turns away Wrath
  17. 16 God knows the Intent of the Heart
  18. 17 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with
  19. 18 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound
  20. 19 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in
  21. 20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is
  22. 21 God judges the Motives of the Heart
  23. 22 Words of the Wise
  24. 23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before
  25. 24 More Sayings of the Wise
  26. 25 More Proverbs of Solomon
  27. 26 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a
  28. 27 Do not boast about Tomorrow
  29. 28 The Wicked Flee when no man pursueth
  30. 29 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond
  31. 30 The Words of Agur
  32. 31 The Words of King Lemuel