Try out the new Click here!

Proverbs 6:1-32 GNTA/NIV - Online Parallel Bible

1 My child, have you promised to be responsible for someone else's debts? 1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another,
2 Have you been caught by your own words, trapped by your own promises? 2 if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth,
3 Well then, my child, you are in that person's power, but this is how to get out of it: hurry to him, and beg him to release you. 3 then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!
4 Don't let yourself go to sleep or even stop to rest. 4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.
5 Get out of the trap like a bird or a deer escaping from a hunter. 5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6 Lazy people should learn a lesson from the way ants live. 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7 They have no leader, chief, or ruler, 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
8 but they store up their food during the summer, getting ready for winter. 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long is the lazy man going to lie around? When is he ever going to get up? 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10 "I'll just take a short nap," he says; "I'll fold my hands and rest a while." 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--
11 But while he sleeps, poverty will attack him like an armed robber. 11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
12 Worthless, wicked people go around telling lies. 12 A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13 They wink and make gestures to deceive you, 13 who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,
14 all the while planning evil in their perverted minds, stirring up trouble everywhere. 14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart-- he always stirs up dissension.
15 Because of this, disaster will strike them without warning, and they will be fatally wounded. 15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed--without remedy.
16 There are seven things that the Lord hates and cannot tolerate: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that kill innocent people, a mind that thinks up wicked plans, feet that hurry off to do evil, a witness who tells one lie after another, and someone who stirs up trouble among friends 16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
20 Son, do what your father tells you and never forget what your mother taught you. 20 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
21 Keep their words with you always, locked in your heart. 21 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
22 Their teaching will lead you when you travel, protect you at night, and advise you during the day. 22 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
23 Their instructions are a shining light; their correction can teach you how to live. 23 My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
24 It can keep you away from bad women, from the seductive words of other men's wives. 24 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.
25 Don't be tempted by their beauty; don't be trapped by their flirting eyes. 25 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
26 A man can hire a prostitute for the price of a loaf of bread, but adultery will cost him all he has. 26 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,
27 Can you carry fire against your chest without burning your clothes? 27 keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife.
28 Can you walk on hot coals without burning your feet? 28 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes,
29 It is just as dangerous to sleep with another man's wife. Whoever does it will suffer. 29 for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
30 People don't despise a thief if he steals food when he is hungry; 30 Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?
31 yet if he is caught, he must pay back seven times more - he must give up everything he has. 31 Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?
32 But a man who commits adultery doesn't have any sense. He is just destroying himself. 32 So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.
33 He will be dishonored and beaten up; he will be permanently disgraced. 33 Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
34 A husband is never angrier than when he is jealous; his revenge knows no limits. 34 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
35 He will not accept any payment; no amount of gifts will satisfy his anger. 35 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.