To secure someone else's debt means to use your own possessions as a guarantee. Whether you do this to gain a friend's goodwill or to profit from a stranger (see Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36–37; Deuteronomy 23:19–20), the risk is too high. It could lead to financial ruin. This warning is repeated in Proverbs 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 22:26; 27:13.
1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger,2if you have been trapped by the words of your lips,ensnared by the words of your mouth,ⓘfree yourself: The risk of disaster is so...
free yourself: The risk of disaster is so high that escaping is a matter of life and death, like animals trapped.
3then do this, my son, to free yourself,for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:Go, humble yourself,†and press your plea with your neighbor.4Allow no sleep to your eyesor slumber to your eyelids.5Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,†like a bird from the snare of the fowler.ⓘLazy people sleep instead of preparing for what...
Lazy people sleep instead of preparing for what they need (see also Proverbs 24:33–34). They are the opposite of self-motivated and hardworking ants.
Extra sleep and more slumber sarcastically describe a lazy person’s ambition.
6Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker;observe its ways and become wise.7Without a commander,without an overseer or ruler,8it prepares its provisions in summer;it gathers its food at harvest.9How long will you lie there, O slacker?When will you get up from your sleep?ⓘLaziness leads to poverty. It will arrive quickly...
Laziness leads to poverty. It will arrive quickly and harshly, like when a robber or bandit attacks and steals. See parallel passage Proverbs 24:33–34.
10A little sleep, a little slumber,a little folding of the hands to rest,11and poverty will come upon you like a robber,and need like a bandit.ⓘEyes...feet...fingers...heart: These body parts describe a person's overall...
Eyes...feet...fingers...heart: These body parts describe a person's overall character, not just a single foolish act.
12A worthless person, a wicked man,walks with a perverse mouth,13winking his eyes, speaking with his feet,and pointing with his fingers.14With deceit in his heart he devises evil;he continually sows discord.15Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery.ⓘThe first line shows a number, and the...
The first line shows a number, and the second line increases it by one. This method, called number parallelism, introduces a list of items. It often highlights the most important final item (see also Proverbs 30:15–23).
16There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him:
17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil,
19a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
Warnings against Adultery
ⓘThis passage highlights the serious danger of having...
This passage highlights the serious danger of having a relationship with another man's wife (see also Proverbs 1:8, 23; 2:16–22; 5:1–23; 7:1–27).
20My son, keep your father’s commandment,and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.21Bind them always upon your heart;tie them around your neck.22When you walk, they will guide you;when you lie down, they will watch over you;when you awake, they will speak to you.23For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light,and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,ⓘThe immoral woman uses flattering words and physical...
The immoral woman uses flattering words and physical beauty to attract young men.
24to keep you from the evil woman,from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.†25Do not lust in your heart for her beautyor let her captivate you with her eyes.†26For the levy of the prostitute is poverty,†and the adulteress preys upon your very life.ⓘwalk on hot coals: Yes, this will cause...
walk on hot coals: Yes, this will cause his feet to blister. The results are terrible.
27Can a man embrace fireand his clothes not be burned?28Can a man walk on hot coalswithout scorching his feet?29So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife;no one who touches her will go unpunished.ⓘSevenfold likely means "a large amount" because the...
Sevenfold likely means "a large amount" because the law did not require such high repayment (see Exodus 22:1, 4, 9).
30Men do not despise the thiefif he steals to satisfy his hunger.31Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold;he must give up all the wealth of his house.ⓘA thief might face severe punishment, even if...
A thief might face severe punishment, even if he had a reason for his actions. However, his punishment is less severe than that of an adulterer, who has no excuse for his crime. A jealous husband will demand the maximum punishment allowed by law, which is death (Deuteronomy 22:22).
32He who commits adultery lacks judgment;whoever does so destroys himself.33Wounds and dishonor will befall him,and his reproach will never be wiped away.34For jealousy enrages a husband,and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance.35He will not be appeased by any ransom,or persuaded by lavish gifts.
Sleeping with a prostitute has consequences, and sleeping with another man's wife can be dangerous. Her husband may seek revenge (Proverbs 6:34–35), and God observes and judges.