1. My son, if you put up a security for your friend,if you have shaken hands with a stranger,
2. you are snared with the words of your mouth;you are taken with the words of your mouth.
3. Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself;when you have come into the hand of your friend,go and humble yourself;plead with your friend.
4. Give no sleep to your eyes,nor slumber to your eyelids.
5. Deliver yourself as a doe from the hand of the hunter,and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6. Go to the ant, you sluggard!Consider her ways and be wise.
7. Which, having no guide,overseer, or ruler,
8. provides her bread in the summer,and gathers her food in the harvest.
9. How long will you sleep, O sluggard?When will you arise out of your sleep?
10. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,a little folding of the hands to sleep—
11. so will your poverty come upon you like a stalker,and your need as an armed man.
12. A wayward person, a wicked man,walks with a perverse mouth.