Proverbs 6:1-11

Christian Standard Bible

6 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor^[a]
or entered into an agreement with^[b] a stranger,^(A)
2 you have been snared by the words of your mouth—
trapped by the words from your mouth.
³ Do this, then, my son, and free yourself,
for you have put yourself in your neighbor’s power:
Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.
⁴ Don’t give sleep to your eyes
or slumber to your eyelids.^(B)
5 Escape like a gazelle from a hunter,^[c]
like a bird from a hunter’s trap.^[d](C)

⁶ Go to the ant,^(D) you slacker!^(E)
Observe its ways and become wise.
⁷ Without leader, administrator, or ruler,
⁸ it prepares its provisions in summer;
it gathers its food during harvest.^(F)
9 How long will you stay in bed, you slacker?
When will you get up from your sleep?
¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the arms to rest,
¹¹ and your poverty will come like a robber,
your need, like a bandit.^(G)