Proverbs 6 (New Living Translation)
Lessons for Daily Life
1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger—
2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said—
3 follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased.
4 Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do.
5 Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.
6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!
7 Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work,
8 they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.
9 But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up?
10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
12 What are worthless and wicked people like? They are constant liars,
13 signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye, a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers.
14 Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble.
15 But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.
The next few verses are the ones that I have heard (and probably quoted) the most from chapter 6. I feel sad when I read verse 19 because I see so much strife in our culture, and it really hurts people. I believe that one of the signs of the "Church" maturing will be increased unity (like in Acts). God can do amazing things in families that walk in love. That can be our testimony as natural familes and spiritual families. "Keep your heart with all diligence", includes fleeing from the heart sickening effects of strife among brothers. Again today, I am thankful for my families, both physical and spiritual (Victory). It's a blessing to walk with you!
16 There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
Let's look at this verse in some different translations.
Proverbs 6:19 (New International Version)
19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
Proverbs 6:19 (Amplified Bible)
19A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.
Proverbs 6:19 (New King James Version)
19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
20 My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
21 Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.
23 For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.
24 It will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.25 Don’t lust for her beauty. Don’t let her coy glances seduce you.
26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life.
27 Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire?
28 Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?
29 So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished.
30 Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving
31 But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house.
32 But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself.
33 He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased.
34 For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35 He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size.
4 comments:
The Bible saying the LORD hates these six things tells me you should pay special attention to what they are. It seems that whenever I hear the verses explained for some reason the part of haughty eyes, or a proud look the kjv states is left out. How many people look down on other people, think they are better than them? When you over rate yourself and under rate another person, the LORD HATES that, think about that. Know that all of us are made in His image, and on equal standing with God if we are saved. He is no respecter of persons.
If you have watched the news lately, it is obvious the Words the Lord spoke about adultery is true. Steve McNair, a 36 yr old man, while in a condo with his 20 yr old mistress was shot dead. With everything that has been going on recently with the rich and famous, is God sending a message? They get to a place where they think they are untouchable, not so. God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows, he will reap. You can count on it.
I think it's very interesting that in Verse 17, the first sin listed is pride. It's the same way other places in the Bible where sins and "things the Lord hates" are listed. Isn't it a shame that religion breeds pride? True Christianity nurtures humility, but in my opinion, religion breeds pride.
Good point Laurie.
I am enjoying reading everyone's comments on Proverbs. There needs to be more comments, so come on church, get involved. Your word may be what blesses someone.
Karen,
I have enjoyed your honesty and openness written in your blogs! Thank you for your words.
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