Proverbs 6:1-19

Warnings Against Foolish Acts

1 My son, don't put up money for what your neighbor owes. Don't agree to pay up for someone else.

2 Don't be trapped by what you have said. Don't be caught by the words of your mouth.

3 Instead, my son, do something to free yourself. Don't fall into your neighbor's hands. Don't be proud. Hurry and make your appeal to your neighbor.

4 Don't let your eyes go to sleep. Don't let your eyelids close.

5 As a deer frees itself from a hunter, free yourself. As a bird frees itself from a trapper, free yourself.

6 You people who don't want to work, think about the ant! Consider its ways and be wise!

7 It has no commander. It has no leader or ruler.

8 But it stores up its food in summer. It gathers its food at harvest time.

9 You lazy people, how long will you lie there? When will you get up from your sleep?

10 You might sleep a little or take a little nap. You might even fold your hands and rest.

11 Then you would be poor, as if someone had robbed you. You would have little, as if someone had stolen from you.

12 A worthless and evil man goes around saying twisted things with his mouth.

13 He winks with his eyes. He makes signals with his feet. He motions with his fingers.

14 His plans are evil. He has lies in his heart. He is always stirring up fights.

15 Trouble will catch up with him in an instant. He will suddenly be destroyed. Nothing can save him.

16 There are six things the LORD hates. In fact, he hates seven things.

17 The LORD hates proud eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who aren't guilty.

18 He also hates hearts that make evil plans, feet that are quick to do evil,

19 any witness who pours out lies, and anyone who stirs up family fights.

Proverbs 6:1-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 6

In this chapter the wise man dissuades from rash suretyship; exposes the sin of idleness; describes a wicked man; makes mention of seven things hateful to God; exhorts to attend to parental instructions and precepts, and cautions against adultery. Suretyship is described, Pr 6:1; and represented as a snare and a net, in which men are taken, Pr 6:2; and advice is given what to do in such a case, for safety in it, and deliverance from it, Pr 6:3-5; The sin of slothfulness is exposed, by observing the industry of the ant, Pr 6:6-8; by expostulating with the sluggard for his continuance in sloth, and by mimicking him, Pr 6:9,10; and by the poverty it brings upon him, Pr 6:11. Then a naughty wicked man is described, by his mouth, eyes, feet, fingers, and heart, whose ruin is sudden and inevitable, Pr 6:11-15. The seven things hateful to God are particularly named, Pr 6:16-19. And next the exhortation in some preceding chapters is reassumed, to attend to the instructions of parents; which will be found ornamental, pleasant, and useful, Pr 6:20-23. Especially to preserve from the lewd woman cautioned against, Pr 6:24,25; whose company is dissuaded from; on account of the extreme poverty and distress she brings persons to, and even danger of life, Pr 6:26; from the unavoidable ruin such come into, Pr 6:27-29; from the sin of uncleanness being greater than that of theft, Pr 6:30,31; from the folly the adulterer betrays; from the destruction of his soul, and the disgrace he brings on himself, Pr 6:32,33; and from the rage and irreconcilable offence of the husband of the adulteress, Pr 6:34,35.