Proverbs 6 Go to the ant.

Proverbs 6

Perhaps this chapter contains wise words to the bankers and financial sector?

If you have put up security for your neighbour, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.

Where does this leave insurance I wonder?

The chapter follows - 
So do this to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbours hands:
Go to the point of exhaustion and give your neighbour no rest!
Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.
Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hands of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

A few years ago now I found myself with quite large amounts of debt. and the feeling is not nice. It took me quite some time to free myself from this debt, and the feeling of relief when it was all paid off was really quite intense. 
On a personal note, if you are struggling with debt, please seek help, there are organisations out there who can help.

The chapter then moves off on a different tangent about hard work and being responsible.

Go to the ant, you sluggard: consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will  you get up from your sleep?
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.

Again a change in tone - regarding a troublemaker and villain, stirring up conflict will meet with disaster.

Yet another change in tone - 
There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
A haughty eye
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 community

The chapter finishes with another warning against adultery.

There are some rather odd thoughts here about the consequences of adultery, apparently going with a prostitute you pay up front, but a cheated spouse has every right to be furious.

People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving, yet if he is caught he has to pay the price.
But the man who commits adultery risks all and however much compensation he offers may well be refused.

Proverbs 5 Against Adultery

Proverbs 5

The Bible is a bit of an odd book sometimes, while the news and church endlessly debate LGBT rights, the consecration of women bishops and wade in about Cadbury's egg hunts advertised without the word "Easter" at the national trust (The fact the sign had "Easter fun" in very big letters seems to have escaped the attention of the press, prime minister and church of England!), there is a theme that fidelity and faithfulness are good and worthy things, while being relatively quiet on the subjects of women bishops and LGBT lifestyle. 

This chapter is one of these passages - Adultery (apparently a bigger problem for women than men), though I don't think that adultery is the fault of one person, after all it takes 2 to tango!

The lips of an illicit partner may be sweet as honey, and words are smoother than oil, but in the end they are as bitter as gall, sharp as a double edged sword.
It is a path that leads to no good.

The advice of the proverb writer is to keep well away from temptation.

Verses 15-18 are really a double entendre (to coin a phrase) about drinking water from your own cistern and well, and not letting your fluids leak in the street....
Read it if you don't believe me!

There is an ultimate (dare I say) cold shower - All your ways are in full view of God, so be a bit careful.

Proverbs 4 Listen to your parents!

Proverbs 4

This chapter is another one saying basically "listen to what I tell you" - I'm not sure about this attitude as people are fallible.

There is still some fairly sound advice here though - "pay attention and gain understanding."
The author's father apparently was also a wise and sensible person, instilling morals and a love of learning.

"Get wisdom, get understanding..."
"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you: love her and she will watch over you"

Verse 7 has what may be the daftest advice I've read so far - The beginning of wisdom is this. Get Wisdom (Duh!)
Wisdom and understanding are treated of great value, "Though it cost you all you have, get understanding" (The motto of the people behind university tuition fees I feel!)

Good and moral parental instruction here is seen as a way of living a good life, we are advised to consider carefully the paths we travel on, these can be good or bad.

Personally I only have to read or listen to the news and it makes me wonder how many people today seek wisdom and understanding, how many consider carefully the paths they are on, both on a personal and national level.

Sometimes I am just reminded of the line from Yes Minister "It's the people's will. I am their leader. I must follow them."