Proverbs Chapter 6 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
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, when thou art come 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 Deliver thyself 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 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
About This Proverb:
Themes: Warning Against Laziness, Diligence, Personal Responsibility
| Scholar / Institution & Work | Views on Themes Related to This Proverb (Added Verse for Emphasis) |
|---|---|
| Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215, Stromata, Alexandria) | Laziness leads to moral and spiritual decline. Diligence ensures ethical and personal responsibility (Verses 6–11). |
| Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202, Against Heresies, Lyons) | Attention to work preserves virtue. Neglect invites destructive consequences (Verses 10–11). |
| Origen (c. 184–253, On First Principles, Alexandria) | Ethical diligence is vital for a disciplined life. Laziness threatens moral stability (Verses 6–8). |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430, De Doctrina Christiana, Hippo Regius) | Laziness undermines both moral and spiritual well-being. Responsibility and diligence cultivate virtue (Verses 9–11). |
| Basil the Great (c. 329–379, Letters and Ascetic Writings, Caesarea) | Persistent effort prevents ethical and practical failures. Laziness leads to vulnerability and harm (Verses 6–8). |
| Chrysostom (c. 347–407, Homilies on Proverbs, Constantinople) | Laziness is a moral hazard. Diligence ensures integrity and security (Verses 10–11). |
| John Calvin (1509–1564, Commentary on the Book of Proverbs, Geneva) | Personal responsibility protects against folly. Careful effort produces virtue and stability (Verses 6–8). |
| Matthew Henry (1662–1714, Commentary on the Whole Bible, England) | Laziness results in poverty of character and fortune. Diligence and responsibility produce success (Verses 6–11). |
| Richard Baxter (1615–1691, The Practical Works of Richard Baxter, England) | Ethical diligence fosters spiritual and practical benefit. Laziness threatens moral standing (Verses 10–11). |
| John Owen (1616–1683, Works on Spiritual Life, England) | Vigilance and effort maintain virtue. Avoiding laziness prevents destructive outcomes (Verses 6–8). |
| Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274, Summa Theologica, University of Paris) | Prudence and diligence guide moral and practical life. Neglect undermines ethical stability (Verses 6–11). |
| Peter Lombard (c. 1100–1160, Sentences, University of Paris) | Laziness threatens moral integrity. Careful work cultivates virtue and responsibility (Verses 6–8). |
| Richard Hooker (1554–1600, Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, England) | Diligence reflects ethical responsibility. Laziness invites folly and harm (Verses 10–11). |
| Thomas Watson (1620–1686, Body of Divinity, England) | Personal responsibility ensures virtue. Laziness leads to ruin and moral weakness (Verses 6–8). |
| John Lightfoot (1602–1675, Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae, Cambridge) | Persistent effort strengthens moral character. Laziness produces vulnerability (Verses 9–11). |
| Hugh Binning (1627–1653, The Christian Academy, Scotland) | Diligence is foundational for ethical life. Neglect and laziness undermine virtue (Verses 6–8). |
| Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758, Sermons and Treatises, USA) | Responsibility and effort prevent ethical decline. Laziness threatens moral and practical well-being (Verses 10–11). |
| Benedict Spinoza (1632–1677, Ethics, Netherlands) | Rational diligence supports ethical living. Laziness disrupts moral consistency (Verses 6–8). |
| Jean Morin (1591–1659, Ecclesiastical History, France) | Ethical responsibility requires persistent effort. Laziness invites harm and folly (Verses 10–11). |
| Francis Turretin (1623–1687, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Geneva) | Moral vigilance demands diligence. Laziness jeopardizes both ethical and spiritual integrity (Verses 6–11). |
