Proverbs
Chapter 6
Bond
My son, if you have stood bail for your neighbor or guaranteed the words of a stranger, or
if you have made a promise with your own lips, know that you have trapped yourself with your own words.
Then do this, my son: release yourself. If you have fallen into the hands of your neighbor, go quickly, kneel down, and plead with him.
Do not let your eyes sleep or your eyelids rest until you have done so.
Break free, like a gazelle from the trap or a bird from the hand.
Laziness
You idler, go to the ant, watch her ways and be wise.
She has no master, no steward or overseer.
She secures food in summer and stores up provisions during harvest time.
How long, you idler, are you going to lie around? When do you intend to rise from sleep?
A little sleep, a slight drowsiness, and your laziness creeps upon you, and then, like a tramp,
poverty comes, bringing misery like a vagabond.
The Wicked
The villain, the unjust man, walks around with a sneer on his lips,
winks his eye, shuffles his feet, and beckons with his finger.
His heart is deceitful; he is constantly scheming evil and stirring up arguments.
Therefore, disaster will suddenly and permanently catch up with him.
Seven Things
There are six things the Lord hates; seven his inner being detests:
the proud look, the lying tongue, hands that spill innocent blood,
the depraved heart, feet that rush toward evil,
a false witness who speaks lies, and the one who sows discord among people.
My son, respect your father’s advice and do not dismiss your mother’s teachings.
Hold them forever in your heart and wear them around your neck.
These will guard your footsteps, protect you when you sleep, and speak to you upon waking.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light; correction teaches you the way of life.
It will shield you from the evil woman, the charming talk of the stranger.
Don’t envy her beauty in your heart or allow her appearance to enchant you.
A prostitute may cost little more than a loaf of bread, but a married woman is a trap for your precious life.
Can a man carry fire in his hand without getting burned, or
walk on hot coals without burning his feet?
So it is for the man who approaches his neighbor’s wife: all who touch her will be punished.
One does not condemn the hungry thief who steals to fill his stomach;
nevertheless, if he is caught, he must pay seven times and give all the goods in his house.
How senseless is the adulterer! Whoever commits adultery destroys himself.
He will reap blows and contempt, and his disgrace will not be erased.
Jealousy inflames the husband’s heart, and when he can take revenge, he will show no mercy.
He will accept nothing, neither reparation nor lavish gifts.
Commentaries
First Collection.
These initial nine chapters serve as an introduction to the entire book, attributed to the final editor of the work.
Bond.
The Israelite fears falling into the hands of a foreigner; this saying shows the growing mistrust toward non-Jews. It was apparently risky to enter into contracts or act as a guarantor for a foreigner, so it is advised to avoid doing so. If someone has been committed to a foreigner, they should try to free themselves as soon as possible.
Laziness.
Sometimes, extreme poverty or a lack of goods and means of subsistence are not necessarily caused by unjust economic and social systems; in such cases, a warning is issued against individuals who are not hardworking or ambitious. Using the image of the ant, the author encourages the lazy person to work to earn a decent living. In this saying, laziness, poverty, and hardship are connected. It’s worth examining how much of our poverty comes from injustice and how much results from a lack of diligence and personal effort.
The Wicked.
Immorality in ethical and social relations can even be evident in a person’s physical appearance. Evil individuals outwardly mirror their internal attitudes.
Seven Things.
The first part of this passage (16-19) illustrates what is known as a “numerical proverb”; its goal is to give a summary of a series of related actions that affect the listener. In this case, six abnormal behaviors are listed as abominations to the Lord. The rest of the passage encourages us not to discard our mother’s advice, while also urging us to reflect on the benefits of walking in accordance with our father’s and mother’s instructions. Verses 24-35 warn against illicit sexual relations and their dangers, specifically involving relations with a prostitute and with one’s neighbor’s wife.