1. My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2. thou art snared with the words of thy mouth; thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, for thou hast fallen into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
4. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5. Escape as a roe from the hand of the hunter and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise,
7. Who having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8. provides her food in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest.
9. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?