The Sluggard and the Surety

Proverbs 6

The father warns his son against rashly becoming surety for another's debt and urges him to free himself quickly from such a pledge. He sends the sluggard to observe the diligence of the ant and the bee, describes the ruin that overtakes a mischievous man whose heart devises evil, and closes with a warning against adultery, calling it a fire that burns the one who touches another man's wife.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonMY son, if thou become surety for thy friend, thou wilt deliver up thy hand to an enemy.

BrentonMy son, if thou become surety for thy friend, thou shalt deliver thine hand to an enemy.

GreekΥἱὲ, ἐὰν ἐγγυήσῃ σὸν φίλον, παραδώσεις σὴν χεῖρα ἐχθρῷ.

KJVMy son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

JPSMy son, if thou art become surety for thy neighbour, If thou hast struck thy hands for a stranger—

ThomsonFor a man’s own lips are a powerful snare, and he is caught by the words of his own mouth.

BrentonFor a man's own lips become a strong snare to him, and he is caught with the lips of his own mouth.

GreekΠαγὶς γὰρ ἰσχυρὰ ἀνδρὶ τὰ ἴδια χείλη, καὶ ἁλίσκεται χείλεσιν ἰδίου στόματος.

KJV—

JPSThou art snared by the words of thy mouth, Thou art caught by the words of thy mouth—

ThomsonDo, my son, what I enjoin thee, and save thyself; for thou art come into the hands of bad men on thy friend’s account. Be not remiss, but importune thy friend for whom thou art surety.

BrentonMy son, do what I command thee, and deliver thyself; for on thy friend's account thou art come into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir up even thy friend for whom thou art become surety.

GreekΠοίει υἱὲ ἃ ἐγώ σοι ἐντέλλομαι, καὶ σώζου· ἥκεις γὰρ εἰς χεῖρας κακῶν διὰ σὸν φίλον· ἴσθι μὴ ἐκλυόμενος, παρόξυνε δὲ καὶ τὸν φίλον σου ὃν ἐνεγγυήσω.

KJVDo 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.

JPSDo this now, my son, and deliver thyself, Seeing thou art come into the hand of thy neighbour; Go, humble thyself, and urge thy neighbour.

ThomsonGive no sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids,

BrentonGive not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber with thine eyelids;

GreekΜὴ δῷς ὕπνον σοῖς ὄμμασι, μηδὲ ἐπινυστάξῃς σοῖς βλεφάροις,

KJVGive not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

JPSGive not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

Thomson—

Brentonthat thou mayest deliver thyself as a doe out of the toils, and as a bird out of a snare.

Greekἵνα σώζῃ ὥσπερ δορκὰς ἐκ βρόχων, καὶ ὥσπερ ὄρνεον ἐκ παγίδος.

KJVDeliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

JPSDeliver thyself as a gazelle from the hand [of the hunter], And as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

ThomsonGo to the ant, thou sluggard; and, having seen its ways, follow the example and be wiser than it.

BrentonGo to the ant, O sluggard; and see, and emulate his ways, and become wiser than he.

GreekἼθι πρὸς τὸν μύρμηκα ὦ ὀκνηρὲ, καὶ ζήλωσον ἰδὼν τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ γενοῦ ἐκείνου σοφώτερος.

KJVGo to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

JPSGo to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise;

ThomsonFor having no cultivated field, no driver nor master,

BrentonFor whereas he has no husbandry, nor any one to compel him, and is under no master,

GreekἘκείνῳ γὰρ γεωργίου μὴ ὑπάρχοντος, μηδὲ τὸν ἀναγκάζοντα ἔχων, μηδὲ ὑπὸ δεσπότην ὢν,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

Brentonhe prepares food for himself in the summer, and lays by abundant store in harvest.

Greekἐτοιμάζεται θέρους τὴν τροφὴν, πολλήν τε ἐν τῷ ἀμητῷ ποιεῖται τὴν παράθεσιν·

KJVProvideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

JPSProvideth her bread in the summer, And gatherest her food in the harvest.

Thomsonit provideth its food in summer, and layeth up a plentiful supply in harvest. Or go to the bee and learn what a worker she is: and how seriously she performeth her work, to the labours of which both kings and subjects apply themselves as far as health permits; and to all it is agreeable and honourable. And though her strength be small, having honoured wisdom, she is diligently employed.

BrentonOr go to the bee, and learn how diligent she is, and how earnestly she is engaged in her work;

Greekἢ πορεύθητι πρὸς τὴν μέλισσαν, καὶ μάθε ὡς ἐργάτις ἐστὶ, τήν τε ἐργασίαν ὡς σεμνὴν ποιεῖται·

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

Brentonwhose labours kings and private men use for health, and she is desired and respected by all:

Greekἧς τοὺς πόνους βασιλεῖς καὶ ἰδιῶται πρὸς ὑγίειαν προσφέρονται· ποθεινὴ δέ ἐστι πᾶσι καὶ ἐπίδοξος,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

Brentonthough weak in body, she is advanced by honouring wisdom.

Greekκαίπερ οὖσα τῇ ῥώμῃ ἀσθενὴς, τὴν σοφίαν τιμήσασα προήχθη.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHow long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard, and when wilt thou rouse from sleep?

BrentonHow long wilt thou lie, O sluggard? and when wilt thou awake out of sleep?

GreekἝως τίνος ὀκνηρὲ κατάκεισαι; πότε δὲ ἐξ ὕπνου ἐγερθήσῃ;

KJVHow long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

JPSHow long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

Thomson—

BrentonThou sleepest a little, and thou restest a little, and thou slumberest a short time, and thou foldest thine arms over thy breast a little.

Greekὀλίγον μὲν ὑπνοῖς, ὀλίγον δὲ κάθησαι, μικρὸν δὲ νυστάζεις, ὀλίγον δὲ ἐναγκαλίζῃ χερσὶ στήθη.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonThen poverty comes upon thee as an evil traveller, and want as a swift courier:

GreekΕἶτʼ ἐνπαραγίνεταί σοι ὥσπερ κακὸς ὁδοιπόρος ἡ πενία, καὶ ἡ ἔνδεια ὥσπερ ἀγαθὸς δρομεύς·

KJV—

JPSSo shall thy poverty come as a runner, And thy want as an armed man.

11a

ThomsonBut is not poverty coming upon thee like an unwelcome traveller? And want, like a speedy courier? Whereas if thou be diligent, thy harvest will come like a fountain; and want, like a bad courier, will run away.

Brentonbut if thou be diligent, thine harvest shall arrive as a fountain, and poverty shall flee away as a bad courier.

Greekἐὰν δὲ ἄοκνος ᾖς, ἥξει ὥσπερ πηγὴ ὁ ἀμητός σου· ἡ δὲ ἔνδεια, ὥσπερ κακὸς δρομεὺς ἀπαυτομολήσει.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonA man void of understanding, and a transgressor, walketh in ways which are not good.

BrentonA foolish man and a transgressor goes in ways that are not good.

GreekἈνὴρ ἄφρων καὶ παράνομος πορεύεται ὁδοὺς οὐκ ἀγαθάς.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonBut he winketh with his eye and maketh a sign with his foot; and teacheth by pointing his fingers:

BrentonAnd the same winks with the eye, and makes a sign with his foot, and teaches with the beckonings of his fingers.

GreekὉ δʼ αὐτὸς ἐννεύει ὀφθαλμῷ, σημαίνει δὲ ποδὶ, διδάσκει δὲ ἐννεύμασι δακτύλων.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonhis depraved heart contriveth mischief. Such an one is continually raising tumults in a city.

BrentonHis perverse heart devises evils: at all times such a one causes troubles to a city.

GreekΔιεστραμμένη καρδία τεκταίνεται κακὰ, ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ ὁ τοιοῦτος ταραχὰς συνίστησιν πόλει.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonTherefore his destruction shall come suddenly; overthrow and irretrievable ruin.

GreekΔιὰ τοῦτο ἐξαπίνης ἔρχεται ἡ ἀπώλεια αὐτοῦ, διακοπὴ καὶ συντριβὴ ἀνίατος.

KJVTherefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

JPSTherefore shall his calamity come suddenly; On a sudden shall he be broken, and that without remedy.

ThomsonBecause he delighteth in all those things which God hateth: therefore he is destroyed for the depravity of his soul.

BrentonFor he rejoices in all things which God hates, and he is ruined by reason of impurity of soul.

GreekὍτι χαίρει πᾶσιν οἷς μισεῖ ὁ Θεὸς, συντρίβεται δὲ διʼ ἀκαθαρσίαν ψυχῆς.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHis eye is that of a scorner; his tongue is false; his hands are employed in shedding innocent blood—

BrentonThe eye of the haughty, a tongue unjust, hands shedding the blood of the just;

GreekὈφθαλμὸς ὑβριστοῦ, γλῶσσα ἄδικος· χεῖρες ἐκχέουσαι αἷμα δικαίου,

KJVA proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

JPSHaughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood;

Thomsonhis heart contriveth wicked purposes, and his feet are swift to do evil:

Brentonand a heart devising evil thoughts, and feet hastening to do evil,— are hateful to God.

Greekκαὶ καρδία τεκταινομένη λογισμοὺς κακοὺς, καὶ πόδες ἐπισπεύδοντες κακοποιεῖν.

KJV—

JPSA heart that deviseth wicked thoughts, Feet that are swift in running to evil;

Thomson—

BrentonAn unjust witness kindles falsehoods, and brings on quarrels between brethren.

GreekἘκκαίει ψευδῆ μάρτυς ἄδικος, καὶ ἐπιπέμπει κρίσεις ἀναμέσον ἀδελφῶν.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonMy son, keep the rules of thy father, and reject not the maxims of thy mother.

BrentonMy son, keep the laws of thy father, and reject not the ordinances of thy mother:

GreekΥἱὲ, φύλασσε νόμους πατρός σου, καὶ μὴ ἀπώσῃ θεσμοὺς μητρός σου·

KJVMy son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

JPSMy son, keep the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the teaching of thy mother;

ThomsonBind them continually on thy mind, and tie them as a chain around thy neck.

Brentonbut bind them upon thy soul continually, and hang them as a chain about thy neck.

GreekἌφαψαι δὲ αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ σῇ ψυχῇ διαπαντὸς, καὶ ἐλκλοίωσαι περὶ σῷ τραχήλῳ·

KJVBind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

JPSBind them continually upon thy heart, Tie them about thy neck.

ThomsonWhen thou walkest, take this along and let it be with thee: and when thou sleepest, let it guard thee, that when thou awakest it may talk with thee.

BrentonWhensoever thou walkest, lead this along and let it be with thee; and when thou sleepest let it keep thee; that it may talk with thee when thou wakest.

GreekἩνίκα ἂν περιπατῇς, ἐπάγου αὐτὴν καὶ μετὰ σοῦ ἔστω, ὡς δʼ ἂν καθεύδῃς φυλασσέτω σε, ἵνα ἐγειρομένῳ συλλαλῇ σοι.

KJVWhen thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

JPSWhen thou walkest, it shall lead thee, When thou liest down, it shall watch over thee; And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

ThomsonFor the command of a law is a lamp and light; and reproof and instruction is the way of life,

BrentonFor the commandment of the law is a lamp and a light; a way of life; reproof also and correction:

GreekὍτι λύχνος ἐντολὴ νόμου καὶ φῶς, ὁδὸς ζωῆς, καὶ ἔλεγχος καὶ παιδεία,

KJVFor the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

JPSFor the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light, And reproofs of instruction are the way of life;

Thomsonto keep thee from a married woman, and from the flattering tongue of a strange woman.

Brentonto keep thee continually from a married woman, and from the calumny of a strange tongue.

Greekτοῦ διαφυλάσσειν σε ἀπὸ γυναικὸς ὑπάνδρου, καὶ ἀπὸ διαβολῆς γλώσσης ἀλλοτρίας.

KJVTo keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

JPSTo keep thee from the evil woman, From the smoothness of the alien tongue.

ThomsonLet not a lust for beauty overcome thee: be not captivated by thine eyes, nor ensnared by her eyelids.

BrentonLet not the desire of beauty overcome thee, neither be thou caught by thine eyes, neither be captivated with her eyelids.

GreekΜή σε νικήσῃ κάλλους ἐπιθυμία, μηδὲ ἀγρευθῇς σοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς, μηδὲ συναρπασθῇς ἀπὸ τῶν αὐτῆς βλεφάρων.

KJVLust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

JPSLust not after her beauty in thy heart; Neither let her captivate thee with her eyelids.

ThomsonFor the price of a harlot is scarce that of a single loaf; but an adulteress hunteth for the precious lives of men.

BrentonFor the value of a harlot is as much as of one loaf; and a woman hunts for the precious souls of men.

GreekΤιμὴ γὰρ πόρνης ὅση καὶ ἑνὸς ἄρτου, γυνὴ δὲ ἀνδρῶν τιμίας ψυχὰς ἀγρεύει.

KJV—

JPSFor on account of a harlot a man is brought to a loaf of bread, But the adulteress hunteth for the precious life.

ThomsonCan anyone put fire in his bosom and not burn his clothes?

BrentonShall any one bind fire in his bosom, and not burn his garments?

GreekἈποδήσει τις πῦρ ἐν κόλπῳ, τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια οὐ κατακαύσει;

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonOr can one walk on coals of fire and not burn his feet?

Brentonor will any one walk on coals of fire, and not burn his feet?

Greekἢ περιπατήσει τις ἐπʼ ἀνθράκων πυρὸς, τοὺς δὲ πόδας οὐ κατακαύσει;

KJVCan one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

JPSOr can one walk upon hot coals, And his feet not be scorched?

Thomson—

BrentonSo is he that goes in to a married woman; he shall not be held guiltless, neither any one that touches her.

GreekΟὕτως ὁ εἰσελθὼν πρὸς γυναῖκα ὕπανδρον, οὐκ ἀθωωθήσεται, οὐδὲ πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος αὐτῆς.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonIt exciteth no wonder, if one be caught stealing; for a hungry man stealeth to satisfy his soul;

BrentonIt is not to be wondered at if one should be taken stealing, for he steals that when hungry he may satisfy his soul:

GreekΟὐ θαυμαστὸν ἐὰν ἁλῷ τις κλέπτων, κλέπτει γὰρ ἵνα ἐμπλήσῃ τὴν ψυχὴν πεινῶν.

KJVMen do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

JPSMen do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

Thomsonbut if he be caught, he is to pay sevenfold; and by giving all that he hath, he will deliver himself.

Brentonbut if he should be taken, he shall repay sevenfold, and shall deliver himself by giving all his goods.

GreekἘὰν δὲ ἁλῷ, ἀποτίσει ἑπταπλάσια, καὶ πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ δοὺς ῥύσεται ἑσυτόν.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonBut he, who through want of understanding, committeth adultery, provideth destruction for his soul.

BrentonBut the adulterer through want of sense procures destruction to his soul.

GreekὉ δὲ μοιχὸς διʼ ἔνδειαν φρενῶν ἀπώλειαν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ περιποιεῖται,

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHe suffereth pangs and dishonour; and his reproach can never be wiped away.

BrentonHe endures both pain and disgrace, and his reproach shall never be wiped off.

Greekὀδύνας τε καὶ ἀτιμίας ὑποφέρει, τὸ δὲ ὄνειδος αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐξαλειφθήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

KJVA wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

JPSWounds and dishonour shall he get, And his reproach shall not be wiped away. .

ThomsonFor the rage of her husband, being full of jealousy, will not spare in the day of vengeance;

BrentonFor the soul of her husband is full of jealousy: he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

GreekΜεστὸς γὰρ ζήλου θυμὸς ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς, οὐ φείσεται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως.

KJVFor jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

JPSFor jealousy is the rage of a man, And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

Thomsonnor will he abate his enmity for any ransom, nor be appeased by many gifts.

BrentonHe will not forego his enmity for any ransom: neither will he be reconciled for many gifts.

GreekΟὐκ ἀνταλλάξεται οὐδενὸς λύτρου τὴν ἔχθραν, οὐδὲ μὴ διαλυθῇ πολλῶν δώρων.

KJVHe will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

JPSHe will not regard any ransom; Neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.