Don't Be Foolish!

Don't Be Foolish

1 Si 29.14-20.  My child, suppose you agree to pay the debt of someone, who cannot repay a loan. 2 Then you are trapped by your own words, 3and you are now in the power of someone else. Here is what you should do: Go and beg for permission to call off the agreement.

4 Do this before you fall asleep or even get sleepy. 5 Save yourself, just as a deer or a bird tries to escape from a hunter. 6 You lazy people can learn by watching an anthill. 7 Ants don't have leaders, 8 but they store up food during harvest season. 9 How long will you lie there doing nothing at all? When are you going to get up and stop sleeping? 10 Sleep a little. Doze a little. Fold your hands and twiddle your thumbs. 11 Suddenly, everything is gone, as though it had been taken by an armed robber. 12 Worthless liars go around 13  winking and giving signals to deceive others. 14 They are always thinking up something cruel and evil, and they stir up trouble. 15 But they will be struck by sudden disaster and left without a hope.

16 There are six or seven kinds of people the Lord doesn't like:

17 Those who are too proud or tell lies or murder,  18 those who make evil plans or are quick to do wrong, 19 those who tell lies in court or stir up trouble in a family.

20 Obey the teaching of your parents— 21 always keep it in mind and never forget it.

22Their teaching will guide you when you walk, protect you when you sleep, and talk to you

when you are awake. 23 The Law of the Lord is a lamp, and its teachings shine brightly. Correction and self-control will lead you through life.

24 They will protect you from the flattering words of someone else's wife.6.24 someone else's wife: Or “an evil woman.”  25 Don't let yourself be attracted by the charm and lovely eyes of someone like that. 26 A woman who sells her love can be bought for as little as the price of a meal. But making love to another man's wife will cost you everything. 27 If you carry burning coals, you burn your clothes; 28 if you step on hot coals, you burn your feet.

29 And if you go to bed with another man's wife, you pay the price. 30 We don't put up with thieves, not even with one who steals for something to eat. 31 And thieves who get caught must pay back seven times what was stolen and lose everything.

32 But if you go to bed with another man's wife, you will destroy yourself by your own stupidity. 33 You will be beaten and forever disgraced, 34 because a jealous husband can be furious and merciless when he takes revenge. 35 He won't let you pay him off, no matter what you offer.