Hebrew

The following table shows the Hebrew text^[5][6] of Proverbs 6 with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).^[7]

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BC; some extant ancient manuscripts of this version include Codex Vaticanus (B; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^S; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^A; 5th century).^[8]

Verse 1

My son, if you become surety for your friend,

If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,^[13]

• "Surety": or "guaranty", "collateral"^[14] There are several references to suretyship in Proverbs, the first coming here (verses 1–6). According to Perowne,

  the strong terms of warning and reprobation in which it is invariably spoken of… accord well with what we should suppose to be the condition of society in the reign of Solomon. In earlier and simpler times it was enough for the Law to forbid usury or interest for a loan of money to be exacted by one Israelite of another; and raiment given as a pledge or security for a debt was to be returned before night-fall to be the owner’s covering in his sleep (Exodus 22:25–27; Leviticus 25:35–38). With the development, however, of commerce and the growth of luxury under Solomon, money-lending transactions, whether for speculation in trade, or for personal gratification, had come to be among the grave dangers that beset the path of youth.

  Accordingly, the writer of Proverbs "has no quarter for it, but condemns it unsparingly on every mention of it".^[15] Subsequent references to surety are at Proverbs 11:15, 17:18, 20:16, 22:26 and 27:13.^[16]
• "Shaken": in Hebrew literally "struck"^[17] as in "struck hands in pledge" (NIV), that is, a handshake signaling the guarantee of a pledge (such as Proverbs 11:15; 17:18; 2 2:26, 2 Kings 10:15).^[11][18] An unwise guarantor would be threatened with not only 'penury' (cf. Proverbs 22:26–27) but also slavery (cf. 2 Kings 4:1–7; Nehemiah 5:1–8).^[11]

Verse 21

Bind them continually upon your heart,

and tie them around your neck.^[19]

• "Bind them": an allusion to Deuteronomy 6:6–8 (cf. Proverbs 3:3, 24) where the people of Israel were told to bind a copy of the law on their foreheads and arms.^[11][20]

Verse 22

When you walk, their counsel will lead you.

When you sleep, they will protect you.

When you wake up, they will advise you.^[21]

Verse 23

For like a lamp is a commandment, and instruction is light,

and the way of life[a] is the reproof of discipline,^[22]

Verse 24

They will protect you

from the flattering words

of someone else's wife.^[23]

Verse 25

Don’t hunger in your heart after her beauty.

Don’t let her eyes capture you. ^[24]

Verse 26

For the price of a woman, a prostitute,[a] is the price of a loaf of bread,

but the woman belonging to a man[b] hunts precious life.^[25]

Verse 27

Can a man carry fire in his lap

without burning his clothes?^[26]

Verse 28

Or can one walk on hot coals

and his feet not be scorched?^[27]

Verse 29

It is just as dangerous to sleep with another man's wife. Whoever does it will suffer.^[28]