¶A worthless person, a wicked man,
Is one who walks with a perverse (corrupt, vulgar) mouth.
Who winks with his eyes [in mockery], who shuffles his feet [to signal],
Who points with his fingers [to give subversive instruction];
Who perversely in his heart plots trouble and evil continually;
Who spreads discord and strife.
Therefore [the crushing weight of] his disaster will come suddenly upon him;
Instantly he will be broken, and there will be no healing or remedy [because he has no heart for God].
¶These six things the LORD hates;
Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him:
A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood, [Ps 120:2, 3]
A heart that creates wicked plans,
Feet that run swiftly to evil,
A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],
And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.
¶My son, be guided by your father’s [God-given] commandment (instruction)
And do not reject the teaching of your mother; [Eph 6:1-3]
Bind them continually upon your heart (in your thoughts),
And tie them around your neck. [Prov 3:3; 7:3]
When you walk about, they (the godly teachings of your parents) will guide you;
When you sleep, they will keep watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light,
And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life, [Ps 19:8; 119:105]
To keep you from the evil woman,
From [the flattery of] the smooth tongue of an immoral woman.
Do not desire (lust after) her beauty in your heart,
Nor let her capture you with her eyelashes.
For on account of a prostitute one is reduced to a piece of bread [to be eaten up],
And the immoral woman hunts [with a hook] the precious life [of a man].
Can a man take fire to his chest
And his clothes not be burned?
Or can a man walk on hot coals
And his feet not be scorched?
So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;
Whoever touches her will not be found innocent or go unpunished.
People do not despise a thief if he steals
To satisfy himself when he is hungry;
But when he is found, he must repay seven times [what he stole];
He must give all the property of his house [if necessary to meet his fine].
But whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks common sense and sound judgment and an understanding [of moral principles];
He who would destroy his soul does it.
Wounds and disgrace he will find,
And his reproach (blame) will not be blotted out.
For jealousy enrages the [wronged] husband;
He will not spare [the guilty one] on the day of vengeance.
He will not accept any ransom [offered to buy him off from demanding full punishment];
Nor will he be satisfied though you offer him many gifts (bribes).
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