Warnings Against Folly Ch. 6
A Proverbs 6 Tapestry
This is the 6th chapter of a series of Proverbs rewrites. In these rewrites, I have placed similar scripture verses alongside each other to highlight the metaphors in the first nine chapters of Proverbs. In order for these passages to relate to one another, I’ve had to change some words. Verb tense changes and pronoun changes are not noted, but additions and subtractions are indicated with brackets or ellipses. The original NIV Proverb’s chapters are italicized. All scripture is footnoted.
Note: Throughout the first nine chapters of Proverbs, which seem like an introduction to Solomon’s Wisdom, we read about two types of women: the prostitute Folly, and Lady Wisdom. I think Chapter 6 continues to draw upon Folly as the adulterer/prostitute. But if someone were to take Chapter 6 out of context, they might not see this. They might think Chapter 6 is merely a warning against sleeping with your neighbor’s wife. They might even think God was saying something goofy like: women adulterers are more enticing to men than men adulterers are to women. Or women who commit adultery are worse than men who commit adultery.
I don’t think Proverbs’ audience was confused about the temptations or dangers of sleeping with someone’s wife. Rather, I think the author of these Proverbs is using a well-known fact—the lure and danger of adultery—to expound upon the lure and danger of being unfaithful to God/following the way of folly.
I hope this tapestry of scripture arrests you as it did me. I am releasing these one chapter every Sunday: Chapters 1-9, 30-31. Click the links below to return to a previous chapter. The next chapter links are available at the end once released.
Proverbs Chapter 6
My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, [if] you have been trapped by what you said,1 sold as a slave to sin,2 ensnared by the words of your mouth, [then] do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:
Go to the point of exhaustion and give your neighbor no rest! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.3 The snare [must be] broken, and you [must] escape.4 …Loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, set the oppressed free and break every yoke.5
Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler.6 …[It] does not have the law, [but] does by nature things required by the law7 [because] it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest8 for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.9
Store up for yourself treasure in heaven
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep,10 . . . drunk on wine, . . . instead [of] being filled with the Spirit?11
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.12 For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly.13 The heavens will disappear with a roar. The elements will be destroyed by fire.14 “Gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, lead and anything else that can withstand fire must be put through the fire and then it will be clean.”15
[Those who are] troublemakers and … villains, who go about with a corrupt mouth, who wink maliciously with their eyes, signal with their feet and motion with their fingers, who plot evil with deceit in their hearts—they always stir up conflict. Therefore disaster will overtake them in an instant. They will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.16 Although they cry out to me, I will not listen to them.17
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him.18 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.19 . . . You must . . . rid yourselves of all such things as these:20 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community21 to gratify the desires of the flesh.22
The Parent’s Warning Against Adultery
My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart. Fasten them around your neck.23 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.24
When you walk, they will guide you. When you sleep, they will watch over you. When you awake, they will speak to you.25 If you rise on the wings of the dawn, if you settle on the far side of the sea even there [they] will guide you. [Their] right hand will hold you fast26 For this command is a lamp,27 … for your feet.28 This teaching is a light,29 . . . on your path.30
[These teachings will] keep you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman31 [who]. . . hinders and . . . so easily entangles . . .32 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.33 . . . [But] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.34 For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife,35 —[that is,] a spirit of prostitution—36 [that] preys on your very life.
Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?37 Don’t you know that a little bit of yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?38 So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife. No one who touches her will go unpunished.39
People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving,40 . . . like an infant . . . blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.41 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
But a man who commits adultery,42 burning incense to Baal and following other gods43 has no sense44 because he has deserted the Lord to give himself to prostitution, to old and new wine, which take away understanding.45 Whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away. For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.46 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that [God] jealously longs for the spirit He has caused to dwell in us?47 He will not accept any compensation. He will refuse a bribe, however great it is.48 Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings He will not desire, nor will He be pleased with them49 [May a fool’s sacrifice be instead] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.50
Proverbs 6:1-2a
Romans 7:14c
Proverbs 6:2b-5
Psalm 124:7b
Isaiah 58:6
Proverbs 6:6-7
Romans 2:14a-b
Proverbs 6:8
Joel 3:14b
Proverbs 6:9
Ephesians 5:18
Proverbs 6:10-11
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3a-b
2 Peter 3:10b-c
Numbers 31:22a-b
Proverbs 6:12-15
Jeremiah 11:11c
Proverbs 6:16
Colossians 3:6
Colossians 3:8a
Proverbs 6:17-19
Galatians 5:16b
Proverbs 6:20-21
Deuteronomy 6:7
Proverbs 6:22
Psalm 139:9-10
Proverbs 6:23a
Psalm 119:105a
Proverbs 6:23
Psalm 119:105c
Proverbs 6:24
Hebrews 12:1b
Proverbs 6:25
Matthew 22:37
Proverbs 6:26a-b
Hosea 4:12c
Proverbs 6:26c-28
1 Corinthians 5:6b
Proverbs 6:29
Proverbs 6:30
Ephesians 4:14
Proverbs 6:32a
Jeremiah 7:9b
Proverbs 6:32b
Hosea 4:10c-11
Proverbs 6:32c-34
James 4:5
Proverbs 6:35
Hebrews 10:8
Psalm 51:17a
Very good!