New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Proverbs 6
1
My son, don't put up money for what your neighbor owes. Don't agree to pay up for someone else.
Reference
3
Instead, my son, do something to free yourself. Don't fall into your neighbor's hands. Don't be proud. Hurry and make your appeal to your neighbor.
Reference
Parallel theme
James 4:10
5
As a deer frees itself from a hunter, free yourself. As a bird frees itself from a trapper, free yourself.
Reference
7
It has no commander. It has no leader or ruler.
10
You might sleep a little or take a little nap. You might even fold your hands and rest.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 6:6
11
Then you would be poor, as if someone had robbed you. You would have little, as if someone had stolen from you.
Reference
12
A worthless and evil man goes around saying twisted things with his mouth.
Reference
Evil
Proverbs 16:27
Matthew 12:34
Proverbs 8:13
Proverbs 17:4
Parallel theme
Proverbs 4:24
1 Timothy 5:13
Acts 20:30
15
Trouble will catch up with him in an instant. He will suddenly be destroyed. Nothing can save him.
Reference
16
There are six things the Lord hates. In fact, he hates seven things.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 30:21
References Lord
Psalm 11:5
Proverbs 8:13
Proverbs 11:20
Proverbs 3:32
Deuteronomy 25:16
Proverbs 17:15
Proverbs 11:1
Proverbs 20:23
Deuteronomy 23:18
17
The Lord hates proud eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who aren't guilty.
Reference
18
He also hates hearts that make evil plans, feet that are quick to do evil,
Reference
Evil
Genesis 6:5
Proverbs 1:16
Jeremiah 4:14
Isaiah 59:7
Psalm 36:4
Proverbs 24:8
Zechariah 8:17
Micah 2:1
Parallel theme
Romans 3:15
19
any witness who pours out lies, and anyone who stirs up family fights.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 6:14
James 3:18
Proverbs 26:20
Proverbs 22:10
Witness
Proverbs 19:5
Proverbs 19:9
Psalm 27:12
Proverbs 25:18
21
Tie them to your heart forever. Put them around your neck.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 3:3
22
When you walk, they will guide you. When you sleep, they will watch over you. When you wake up, they will speak to you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 2:11
Psalm 119:11
Psalm 119:54
Psalm 119:148
Psalm 119:9
Psalm 43:3
Psalm 119:24
23
Your father's commands are like a lamp. Your mother's teaching is like a light. And the training that corrects you leads to life.
Reference
24
It keeps you from a sinful woman. It keeps you from the smooth tongue of a woman who commits adultery.
Reference
26
A prostitute leaves you with only a loaf of bread. Another man's wife hunts your very life.
Reference
27
You can't shovel fire into your lap without burning your clothes.
28
You can't walk on hot coals without burning your feet.
29
It's the same for anyone who has sex with another man's wife. Anyone who touches her will be punished.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 7:1
30
People don't hate a thief who steals to fill his empty stomach.
31
But when he is caught, he must pay seven times as much as he stole. It may even cost him everything he has.
Reference
33
He will be beaten up and dishonored. His shame will never be wiped away.
35
He won't accept any payment. He won't take any money, no matter how much he is offered.
Summary of Proverbs 6
Proverbs 6 is a practical chapter about responsibility, self-discipline, honesty, and sexual self-control. Unlike some chapters that focus primarily on one subject, this chapter addresses several different behaviors that can quietly damage a person's life.
The first warning concerns financial responsibility.
The father warns his son about guaranteeing another person's debt. The problem is not generosity itself. The problem is making a serious financial commitment without fully considering the consequences.
A person may make a promise with good intentions, but once the promise has been made, he may become responsible for someone else's obligation.
The father therefore tells his son to act quickly if he has placed himself in such a situation. He should not allow pride or embarrassment to prevent him from trying to resolve the problem.
The lesson is simple:
Think carefully before making commitments that can affect your future.
The chapter then turns to laziness.
The father tells the lazy person to study the ant. The ant does not need someone standing over it with instructions. It works, prepares food, and gathers resources at the appropriate time.
This provides an important lesson about initiative.
A responsible person does not always need someone else to tell him what to do. He recognizes what needs to be done and takes action.
The ant also teaches preparation.
It gathers food before it needs it.
This is especially meaningful in an agricultural society, where people had to prepare for seasons when food might not be available. The principle still applies today: wise people prepare for future needs instead of waiting until a problem becomes a crisis.
The first warning concerns financial responsibility.
The father warns his son about guaranteeing another person's debt. The problem is not generosity itself. The problem is making a serious financial commitment without fully considering the consequences.
A person may make a promise with good intentions, but once the promise has been made, he may become responsible for someone else's obligation.
The father therefore tells his son to act quickly if he has placed himself in such a situation. He should not allow pride or embarrassment to prevent him from trying to resolve the problem.
The lesson is simple:
Think carefully before making commitments that can affect your future.
The chapter then turns to laziness.
The father tells the lazy person to study the ant. The ant does not need someone standing over it with instructions. It works, prepares food, and gathers resources at the appropriate time.
This provides an important lesson about initiative.
A responsible person does not always need someone else to tell him what to do. He recognizes what needs to be done and takes action.
The ant also teaches preparation.
It gathers food before it needs it.
This is especially meaningful in an agricultural society, where people had to prepare for seasons when food might not be available. The principle still applies today: wise people prepare for future needs instead of waiting until a problem becomes a crisis.