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TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 6

Translation and Transliteration of 

1My son, if you have stood surety for your fellow, Given your hand for another,

b'-NEE im-a-RAV-ta l'-re-E-kha, ta-KA-ta la-ZAR ka-PE-kha

אבְּ֭נִי אִם־עָרַ֣בְתָּ לְרֵעֶ֑ךָ תָּקַ֖עְתָּ לַזָּ֣ר כַּפֶּֽיךָ׃

2You have been trapped by the words of your mouth, Snared by the words of your mouth.

no-KASH-ta v'-im-ray-fi-KHA, nil-KAD-ta b'-im-ray-fi-KHA

בנוֹקַ֥שְׁתָּ בְאִמְרֵי־פִ֑יךָ נִ֝לְכַּ֗דְתָּ בְּאִמְרֵי־פִֽיךָ׃

3Do this, then, my son, to extricate yourself, For you have come into the power of your fellow: Go grovel—and badger your fellow;

a-SEH zo-at e-FO-a B'-nee v'-hi-na-TZEL kee ba-TA v'-khaf RE-e-KHA lekh hit-RA-pes u-re-HAV re-e-KHA

געֲשֵׂ֨ה זֹ֥את אֵפ֪וֹא ׀ בְּנִ֡י וְֽהִנָּצֵ֗ל כִּ֘י בָ֤אתָ בְכַף־רֵעֶ֑ךָ לֵ֥ךְ הִ֝תְרַפֵּ֗ס וּרְהַ֥ב רֵעֶֽיךָ׃

4Give your eyes no sleep, Your pupils no slumber.

al-ti-TEN she-NAH l'-ei-NE-kha u-te-NU-mah l'-af-a-PE-kha

דאַל־תִּתֵּ֣ן שֵׁנָ֣ה לְעֵינֶ֑יךָ וּ֝תְנוּמָ֗ה לְעַפְעַפֶּֽיךָ׃

5Save yourself like a deer out of the hand [of a hunter], Like a bird out of the hand of a fowler.

hi-NATs-EL kitz-VEE mi-YAD u-kh'-tsi-POR mi-YAD ya-KUSH.

ההִ֭נָּצֵל כִּצְבִ֣י מִיָּ֑ד וּ֝כְצִפּ֗וֹר מִיַּ֥ד יָקֽוּשׁ׃

6Lazybones, go to the ant; Study its ways and learn.

LEKH-el-ne-MA-la a-TSEL, re-EH d'-ra-KHE-ha va-KHA-kham.

ולֵֽךְ־אֶל־נְמָלָ֥ה עָצֵ֑ל רְאֵ֖ה דְרָכֶ֣יהָ וַחֲכָֽם׃

7Without leaders, officers, or rulers,

a-SHER EIN-lah ka-TZIN sho-TER u-mo-SHEL

זאֲשֶׁ֖ר אֵֽין־לָ֥הּ קָצִ֗ין שֹׁטֵ֥ר וּמֹשֵֽׁל׃

8It lays up its stores during the summer, Gathers in its food at the harvest.

ta-KHIN ba-KA-yitz lakh-MAH a-G'RAH va-ka-TZIR ma-a-KHA-lah

חתָּכִ֣ין בַּקַּ֣יִץ לַחְמָ֑הּ אָגְרָ֥ה בַ֝קָּצִ֗יר מַֽאֲכָלָֽהּ׃

9How long will you lie there, lazybones; When will you wake from your sleep?

ad-ma-TAI a-TSEL tish-KAV ma-TAI ta-KUM mi-she-NA-te-KHA

טעַד־מָתַ֖י עָצֵ֥ל ׀ תִּשְׁכָּ֑ב מָ֝תַ֗י תָּק֥וּם מִשְּׁנָתֶֽךָ׃

10A bit more sleep, a bit more slumber, A bit more hugging yourself in bed,

m'-AT sh'-NOT m'-AT t'-NU-mot m'-AT khee-BUK ya-DA-yim lish-KAV

ימְעַ֣ט שֵׁ֭נוֹת מְעַ֣ט תְּנוּמ֑וֹת מְעַ֓ט ׀ חִבֻּ֖ק יָדַ֣יִם לִשְׁכָּֽב׃

11And poverty will come calling upon you, And want, like a man with a shield.

u-va-KHIM-ha-LEKH re-SHE-kha u-makh-so-R'-kha k'-EESH ma-GEN.

יאוּבָֽא־כִמְהַלֵּ֥ךְ רֵאשֶׁ֑ךָ וּ֝מַחְסֹרְךָ֗ כְּאִ֣ישׁ מָגֵֽן׃

12A scoundrel, an evil man Lives by crooked speech,

a-DAM b'-li-YA-al eesh a-VON ho-LEKH i-k'-SHUT PEH

יבאָדָ֣ם בְּ֭לִיַּעַל אִ֣ישׁ אָ֑וֶן ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ עִקְּשׁ֥וּת פֶּֽה׃

13Winking his eyes, Shuffling his feet, Pointing his finger.

ko-RETZ b'-ay-NAV mo-LEL b'-rag-LAV mo-REH b'-etz-b'-O-tav

יגקֹרֵ֣ץ בְּ֭עֵינָו מֹלֵ֣ל בְּרַגְלָ֑ו מֹ֝רֶ֗ה בְּאֶצְבְּעֹתָֽיו׃

14Duplicity is in his heart; He plots evil all the time; He incites quarrels.

ta-PU-khot b'-li-BO kho-RESH ra b'-kol-ET (mid-NIM) [mid-YA-nim] y'-sha-LE-akh

ידתַּ֥הְפֻּכ֨וֹת ׀ בְּלִבּ֗וֹ חֹרֵ֣שׁ רָ֣ע בְּכׇל־עֵ֑ת (מדנים) [מִדְיָנִ֥ים] יְשַׁלֵּֽחַ׃

15Therefore calamity will come upon him without warning; Suddenly he will be broken beyond repair.

al-KEN pit-OM ya-VO e-DO pe-TA ya-sha-VAYR v'-AYN mar-PAY.

טועַל־כֵּ֗ן פִּ֭תְאֹם יָב֣וֹא אֵיד֑וֹ פֶּ֥תַע יִ֝שָּׁבֵ֗ר וְאֵ֣ין מַרְפֵּֽא׃

16Six things Hashem hates; Seven are an abomination to Him:

sheSH he-Nah sa-NE a-do-NAI v'-she-VA (to-A-vo-TOT) [to-A-vat] naf-SHO

טזשֶׁשׁ־הֵ֭נָּה שָׂנֵ֣א יְהֹוָ֑ה וְ֝שֶׁ֗בַע (תועבות) [תּוֹעֲבַ֥ת] נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

17A haughty bearing, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,

EY-nayim ra-MOT l'-SHON sha-KER v'-ya-DA-yim sho-F'-khot dam-na-KEE

יזעֵינַ֣יִם רָ֭מוֹת לְשׁ֣וֹן שָׁ֑קֶר וְ֝יָדַ֗יִם שֹׁפְכ֥וֹת דָּם־נָקִֽי׃

18A mind that hatches evil plots, Feet quick to run to evil,

LEV KHO-RESH makh-SHE-vot a-VEN, rag-LA-yim m'-ma-ha-ROT la-RUTZ la-ra-AH.

יחלֵ֗ב חֹ֭רֵשׁ מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת אָ֑וֶן רַגְלַ֥יִם מְ֝מַהֲר֗וֹת לָר֥וּץ לָֽרָעָֽה׃

19A false witness testifying lies, And one who incites brothers to quarrel.

ya-FEE-akh k'-za-VEEM AYD sha-KER u-m'-sha-LAY-akh m'-da-NEEM BAYN a-KHEEM.

יטיָפִ֣יחַ כְּ֭זָבִים עֵ֣ד שָׁ֑קֶר וּמְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ מְ֝דָנִ֗ים בֵּ֣ין אַחִֽים׃

20My son, keep your father's commandment; Do not forsake your mother's teaching.

n'-TZOR b'-NEE mitz-VAT a-vee-KHA v'-al ti-TOSH to-RAT i-ME-kha

כנְצֹ֣ר בְּ֭נִי מִצְוַ֣ת אָבִ֑יךָ וְאַל־תִּ֝טֹּ֗שׁ תּוֹרַ֥ת אִמֶּֽךָ׃

21Tie them over your heart always; Bind them around your throat.

KOSH-rem al li-B'-kha ta-MEED, on-DEM al gar-ge-RO-te-kha.

כאקׇשְׁרֵ֣ם עַל־לִבְּךָ֣ תָמִ֑יד עׇ֝נְדֵ֗ם עַל־גַּרְגְּרֹתֶֽךָ׃

22When you walk it will lead you; When you lie down it will watch over you; And when you are awake it will talk with you.

b'-hit-ha-LEKH-ta, ta-N'-kheh o-TAKH b'-sho-K'-KHA, tish-MOR a-LE-kha, va-ha-ki-TZO-ta, hee t'-see-KHE-kha

כבבְּהִתְהַלֶּכְךָ֨ ׀ תַּנְחֶ֬ה אֹתָ֗ךְ בְּֽ֭שׇׁכְבְּךָ תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר עָלֶ֑יךָ וַ֝הֲקִיצ֗וֹתָ הִ֣יא תְשִׂיחֶֽךָ׃

23For the commandment is a lamp, The teaching is a light, And the way to life is the rebuke that disciplines.

KEE NAYR mitz-VAH v'-TO-rah OR v'-DE-rekh kha-YEEM to-kh'-KHOT mu-SAR

כגכִּ֤י נֵ֣ר מִ֭צְוָה וְת֣וֹרָה א֑וֹר וְדֶ֥רֶךְ חַ֝יִּ֗ים תּוֹכְח֥וֹת מוּסָֽר׃

 6:23   For the commandment is a lamp, the teaching is a light

Model of Herod’s Temple at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem

The Talmud (Bava Batra 4a) quotes this verse in a passage explaining why the wicked King Herod was motivated to renovate and beautify the second Beit Hamikdash. Herod had engaged in a murderous rampage against the leading rabbis of his generation, only to regret his evil actions after he came to know and respect the Sage Bava ben Buta. “What can I do to repent my evil ways?” King Herod begged Bava. Quoting this verse, Bava responded, “You who extinguished the light of the world by killing so many Torah scholars, can atone by bringing more light into the world.” Herod listened to the rabbi and immediately embarked upon a massive architectural project, restoring the glory of the Beit Hamikdash, and causing the second Temple to surpass even the beauty of the first Temple built by King Shlomo. In this way, he strengthened the light emanating to the world.

24It will keep you from an evil woman, From the smooth tongue of a forbidden woman.

li-sh'-mor-KHA me-EY-shet ra, me-khel-KAT la-SHON nokh-ri-YAH

כדלִ֭שְׁמׇרְךָ מֵאֵ֣שֶׁת רָ֑ע מֵ֝חֶלְקַ֗ת לָשׁ֥וֹן נׇכְרִיָּֽה׃

25Do not lust for her beauty Or let her captivate you with her eyes.

al-takh-MOD yo-FYAH bi-l'va-VE-kha v'-al-ti-ka-KHA-kha b'-af-a-PE-ha

כהאַל־תַּחְמֹ֣ד יׇ֭פְיָהּ בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ וְאַל־תִּ֝קָּחֲךָ֗ בְּעַפְעַפֶּֽיהָ׃

26The last loaf of bread will go for a harlot; A married woman will snare a person of honor.

ki b'-AD i-SHA zo-NAH ad ki-KAR-la-KHEM v'-EY-shet EESH NE-fesh y'-ka-RAH ta-TZUD

כוכִּ֤י בְעַד־אִשָּׁ֥ה זוֹנָ֗ה עַֽד־כִּכַּ֫ר־לָ֥חֶם וְאֵ֥שֶׁת אִ֑ישׁ נֶ֖פֶשׁ יְקָרָ֣ה תָצֽוּד׃

27Can a man rake embers into his bosom Without burning his clothes?

ha-YA-kh'-TAH eesh ESH b'-khe-KO u-v'-ga-DAV lo tis-RAF-nah

כזהֲיַחְתֶּ֤ה אִ֓ישׁ אֵ֬שׁ בְּחֵיק֑וֹ וּ֝בְגָדָ֗יו לֹ֣א תִשָּׂרַֽפְנָה׃

28Can a man walk on live coals Without scorching his feet?

im-y'-ha-LEKH eesh al ha-ge-KHA-leem v'-ra-g'-LAV lo ti-ka-VEE-na

כחאִם־יְהַלֵּ֣ךְ אִ֭ישׁ עַל־הַגֶּחָלִ֑ים וְ֝רַגְלָ֗יו לֹ֣א תִכָּוֶֽינָה׃

29It is the same with one who sleeps with his fellow's wife; None who touches her will go unpunished.

KEN ha-BA el-E-shet re-E-hu LO yi-NA-keh KOL ha-NO-ge-AH BAH

כטכֵּ֗ן הַ֭בָּא אֶל־אֵ֣שֶׁת רֵעֵ֑הוּ לֹ֥א יִ֝נָּקֶ֗ה כׇּֽל־הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בָּֽהּ׃

30A thief is not held in contempt For stealing to appease his hunger;

lo-ya-VO-zu la-ga-NAB ki yig-NOV, l'-ma-LEH naf-SHO ki yir-AV

ללֹא־יָב֣וּזוּ לַ֭גַּנָּב כִּ֣י יִגְנ֑וֹב לְמַלֵּ֥א נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ כִּ֣י יִרְעָֽב׃

31Yet if caught he must pay sevenfold; He must give up all he owns.

v'-nim-TZA y'-sha-LEM shiv-a-TA-yim et-KOL hoN bai-TO yi-TEN

לאוְ֭נִמְצָא יְשַׁלֵּ֣ם שִׁבְעָתָ֑יִם אֶת־כׇּל־ה֖וֹן בֵּית֣וֹ יִתֵּֽן׃

32He who commits adultery is devoid of sense; Only one who would destroy himself does such a thing.

NO-ef i-SHA cha-SAR-LEV mash-KHEET naf-SHO HU ya-a-SE-nah.

לבנֹאֵ֣ף אִשָּׁ֣ה חֲסַר־לֵ֑ב מַֽשְׁחִ֥ית נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ ה֣וּא יַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃

33He will meet with disease and disgrace; His reproach will never be expunged.

ne-GA v'-ka-LON yim-TZA v'-kher-PA-to lo ti-MA-kheh

לגנֶגַע־וְקָל֥וֹן יִמְצָ֑א וְ֝חֶרְפָּת֗וֹ לֹ֣א תִמָּחֶֽה׃

34The fury of the husband will be passionate; He will show no pity on his day of vengeance.

ki-KIN-a CHA-mat-ga-VER v'-lo-yakh-MOL b'-YOM na-KAM

לדכִּֽי־קִנְאָ֥ה חֲמַת־גָּ֑בֶר וְלֹא־יַ֝חְמ֗וֹל בְּי֣וֹם נָקָֽם׃

35He will not have regard for any ransom; He will refuse your bribe, however great.

lo-YI-sa pe-NEI kol-KO-fer ve-lo-YO-veh ki tar-BEH-sho-KHAD.

להלֹֽא־יִ֭שָּׂא פְּנֵ֣י כׇל־כֹּ֑פֶר וְלֹֽא־יֹ֝אבֶ֗ה כִּ֣י תַרְבֶּה־שֹֽׁחַד׃