The first 19 verses of chapter 6 have the appearance of an errant block of exhortations. They interrupt the theme of sex, and they seem to be a miscellany of proverbs.

6:1–5 There is an almost frantic tone to this command against going surety for a neighbor. Such a warning against standing pledge for another is not rare (see 11:15; 17:18; 22:26–27, etc.). Ben Sira had a more relaxed and realistic attitude (cf. Sir. 29:14–20). The action is seen as a burden and snare, and every effort must be made immediately to free oneself from it, even to the abject humbling of oneself before the neighbor.

6:6–11 Diligence is another frequent topos (traditional theme) in Proverbs (10:4–5; 12:14, etc.). These words reflect a certain sarcasm in holding up the ant as a model of industry. Without anyone ur…