所羅門繼續教訓人們，並且勸告他們要有商業行為方面的智慧。他警告他的學生不要匆忙為人作保，好使他的朋友得到一筆貸款。作為保人的背後動機可能是以他本人他的成就，及他的財富為傲；這也顯示，信任別人會帶來不幸。我們可以百分之百地信靠上帝，但非相信人。在所羅門的時代，一定有一些腐敗的商業行為和習氣，所以他不要看到他的學生跌入陷阱中，弄得傾家蕩產，因為他已經看到不少人有這樣悲慘的遭遇。所羅門警告他的學生，如果他愚蠢地做了這樣的事，他就應立刻覺悟此一錯誤的嚴重性，並且要立刻謙卑、虛心，及在尚有回頭機會之前，請求解除他做保的責任（第1~5節）。

        所羅門鼓勵人們，要想遠離貧窮，就得勤儉及努力工作。他嘲笑「懶惰的人」，因螞蟻都比這樣的人聰明。我們從箴言書中對「懶惰的人」或「怠惰的人」這兩個字所作其他用法來看，就不難明白，它暗示，這種人不僅是懶散的人，而且也是愚蠢的人，或是罪人（比較15：19；21：25~26；26：13~16）。他祇要觀察螞蟻的紀律、勤勉、堅毅、合作、甚至是智慧，就可以學習到很多新的知識和教訓。當一個人變得懶惰時，他就很容易受到試探，甚至犯罪，例如大衛與拔示巴所犯的罪就是這種情形（撒下11：1-14）。

        所羅門描述的第二種人就是，這種人雖然不懶惰，但是卻毫無價值。他整天忙於煽起衝突與欺騙，以及心裡總是想盡方法去行惡事。他所做的每一件事都是表面的。例如乖僻的口、用眼傳神、用腳示意、及用指頭點劃（可能是指粗魯的姿態），都反映出他心裡的邪惡（6：12~14）。就像他撒下的是分爭種子，他收成的也是分爭種子為他所產生的不幸災難。上帝痛恨這種人的罪惡道路，以及所羅門也將他們列在各種箴言中，藉以警惕世人。其中所列出的耶和華恨惡的「六樣」，就是「七樣」的背景，也就是他強調的重點。前面也介紹過同樣的思想：「他布散分爭」（第十四節）；現在，所羅門將那種惡事列為最壞的事：「在弟兄中布散分爭」。不過，耶和華最喜悅製造和平的人，及喜愛看到人們和諧地居住在一起（比較太5：9；詩133：1；西3：15）。

        凡是敬畏耶和華的人都會順從祂的誡命，以及凡是遵行父母教訓的人都會受到上帝的祝福，也會為別人帶來福氣。摩西不僅教導他的百姓，不僅要將耶和華的律法佩帶在身上，而且也要將它們永遠銘記在心裡，好提醒他們要隨時隨地順從上帝的誡命。所羅門王也一再強調這種做法，例如他教訓他的兒子要將聖潔又有智慧的教訓「常繫在你心上、掛在你項上」（第21節；申6：6~9）。如果一個人能將上帝的話語牢牢地記在心裡，那麼它就會像一盞明燈，帶領他的腳步，保守他，甚至對他說話。不過，上帝的話語所說的都是斥責的話，證明那個人有罪，因而可以保護一個人不致跌入罪惡中，及協助他「走在生命道路」上（第23節）。來自上帝話語的智慧會告訴他要遠離妓女，或是任何不斷行惡事的人，因為那是走向毀滅、貧窮，及最後到死亡的道路（第26節）。

        親愛的上帝啊，我們讚美您，因為您將話語賜給我們。但願我們在走信仰的道路時，不致成為一個怠惰的人，而是要全心全意地順從您的話語，因為它照亮我們的道路，也顯明我們的罪。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        Solomon continues to give instruction and advice about being wise in commercial dealings. He warns his student against rashly pledging himself as surety, so that his friend might be given a loan. The motivation behind becoming the guarantor was likely pride in himself, his achievements, and money, and it displayed a trust in others that could prove disastrous. We can only be one hundred percent sure of our trust in God but not in our fellow man. There must have been corrupt business practices during the time of Solomon, and he did not want to see his student fall into the trap and loose everything, as he may have seen happen to others. Solomon warns the student that if he ever unthinkingly and unwisely did such a thing, he should immediately realize his grave mistake, humble himself, swallow his pride, and persistently plead to be relieved of his obligation before it is too late (v. 1-5).

        Solomon encourages industry and hard work, which is the way to prevent poverty. He mocks at the "sluggard", for an ant is wiser than such a person. From the other uses of the word "sluggard" or "slothful" within the book of Proverbs, we come to understand that the word implies not just a lazy person but one who is also a fool or a sinner (compare 15:19; 21:25-26; 26:13-16). He can learn much from the ant by watching its discipline, diligence, perseverance, co-operation, and even prudence. When a person is idle, he leaves himself more open to temptation and sin, such as happened to David when he sinned with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11:1-4).

        The next type of person that Solomon describes is one who is not slothful but even more worthless. He busies himself with stirring up dissension and deception, and he is always devising evil. Everything he does outwardly, with his mouth, eyes, feet, and fingers (possibly referring rude gestures) reflect the perversity of his heart (v. 12-14). Just as he sows discord, so will he reap the calamity upon himself that discord brings. God hates his sinful ways and Solomon lists them in the form of a numerical proverb. The six that are listed are a background for the seventh, upon which lies the emphasis. The same thought was introduced before: "He sows discord" (v. 14), and now Solomon lists that particular evil as the worst: "discord among brethren". The Lord, however, is most pleased with a peacemaker and loves to see people dwelling together in unity (cf. Matt. 5:9; Ps. 133:1; Col. 3:15).

        The one who fears the Lord, obeys His commandments, and heeds the instructions of his parents will be blessed and will also be a blessing to others. Moses had instructed the people to put the Law of God upon them and within their hearts as a constant reminder of their obligation to obedience. Solomon reaffirms this same practice by instructing his son to do likewise with his godly and wise teachings (v. 21; Deut. 6:6-9). If a person treasures the Word of God in his heart, then it will always serve as a lamp to lead, keep, and even speak to him. The Word, however, may speak words of reproof, which serve to convict of sin, and thus preserve one from falling into sin and keep him headed on "the way of life" (v. 23). The wisdom from God's Word will tell him to stay far from the harlot or anyone who continually practices sin, for that is the way of destruction, poverty, and ultimately death (v. 26).

        We praise You today, dear God, for Your Word. May we not be slothful in our Christian walk but wholly trust and obey Your Word, as it sheds Light on our path and convicts us of sin.