Wise Steps

If you pledge for another,

my son, it's true,

Trapped by your words,

what will you do?

Deliver yourself with urgent pace,

Go to your neighbour,

seek to erase. Don’t rest your eyes,

don’t slumber or drift,

Rescue yourself like a bird,

swift.

Go to the ant,

O sluggard, be wise,

Consider her ways, open your eyes.

She gathers in summer,

no ruler's shout, Prepares her food,

no doubt about. How long,

O sluggard, will you lay?

When will you rise and seize the day?

Six things the Lord really hates,

Seven abominations that He relates: Prideful eyes,

a lying tongue, Hands shedding innocent blood that's wrung.

A little sleep, some slumber more,

Poverty come knocking at your door.

A wicked man walks in deceit,

A perverse heart makes his retreat.

With winking eyes, speaks feet shifty,

Deceitful heart stirring up nifty.

Discord and strife laid in his wake,

Destruction’s sudden, no escape.

A heart that plots wicked plans,

Evil feet that swiftly stand.

False witness breathing out lies,

Brothers divided, torn ties.

Guard commandment, forsake it not,

Bind them upon your heart,

the taught. When you walk,

they'll guide you right,

When you sleep, keep you through the night.

Lust not after beauty's stare,

Nor be caught by eyelids’ snare.

A harlot's hole, a man reduced,

Burning coals cannot be diffused.

Can you take fire into your chest,

Without being burned, strange test?

Adultery wounds you can’t forgo,

Honour, scorn, and endless woe.

Heavenly Father, in the wisdom of Proverbs,

we see the perils of sin and folly.

In Jesus Christ, our Redeemer,

is salvation from these snares.

He guides us to truth and righteousness.

Walk with us, O Lord,

in the way everlasting.

In Jesus' name, Amen. (Amen)