3Do this, my son, and make yourself free, because you have come into the power of your neighbour; go without waiting, and make a strong request to your neighbour.
4Give no sleep to your eyes, or rest to them;
5Make yourself free, like the roe from the hand of the archer, and the bird from him who puts a net for her.
6Go to the ant, you hater of work; give thought to her ways and be wise:
7Having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
8She gets her meat in the summer, storing up food at the time of the grain-cutting.
9How long will you be sleeping, O hater of work? when will you get up from your sleep?
10A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the hands in sleep:
11Then loss will come on you like an outlaw, and your need like an armed man
12A good-for-nothing man is an evil-doer; he goes on his way causing trouble with false words;
13Making signs with his eyes, rubbing with his feet, and giving news with his fingers;
14His mind is ever designing evil: he lets loose violent acts.
15For this cause his downfall will be sudden; quickly he will be broken, and there will be no help for him.
16Six things are hated by the Lord; seven things are disgusting to him:
17Eyes of pride, a false tongue, hands which take life without cause;
18A heart full of evil designs, feet which are quick in running after sin;
19A false witness, breathing out untrue words, and one who lets loose violent acts among brothers.
20My son, keep the rule of your father, and have in memory the teaching of your mother:
21Keep them ever folded in your heart, and have them hanging round your neck.