Proverbs 6:2

Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth - the consequent of the antecedent supposition "If-if" (). Bayne, Maurer, etc., carry on the "if" to this verse, '(If) thou art snared'-then the consequent begins at , "Do this," etc. But the English version needs no ellipsis to be supplied, and is therefore better. Accordingly, the repetition of "my son" () marks a fresh proposition beginning there. After the act of suretiship follows the danger, "Thou art snared," etc. Thou thoughtest mere "words" could not involve thee; but "thou art taken." Heretofore thou wast free, now thou art bound fast. Careless youths think the utterance of a few words and giving the hand a light matter. But they forget what weight there is in words and in pledging themselves.