Proverbs 5

Chapter 5

Avoid Immoral Women

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
listen carefully to my wise counsel.2 Then you will show discernment,
and your lips will express what you’ve learned.3 For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,
and her mouth is smoother than oil.4 But in the end she is as bitter as poison,
as dangerous as a double-edged sword.5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.t6 For she cares nothing about the path to life.
She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it.7 So now, my sons, listen to me.
Never stray from what I am about to say:8 Stay away from her!
Don’t go near the door of her house!9 If you do, you will lose your honor
and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.10 Strangers will consume your wealth,
and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor.11 In the end you will groan in anguish
when disease consumes your body.12 You will say, “How I hated discipline!
If only I had not ignored all the warnings!13 Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers?
Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin,
and now I must face public disgrace.”15 Drink water from your own well—
share your love only with your wife.t16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,
having sex with just anyone?t17 You should reserve it for yourselves.
Never share it with strangers.18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts satisfy you always.
May you always be captivated by her love.20 Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman,
or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?21 For the LORD sees clearly what a man does,
examining every path he takes.22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
they are ropes that catch and hold him.23 He will die for lack of self-control;
he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

PROVERBS 5

Be Faithful to Your Wife

1 My son, if you listen closely
to my wisdom and good sense,

2 you will have sound judgment,
and you will always know
the right thing to say.

3 The words of an immoral woman
may be as sweet as honey
and as smooth as olive oil.

4 But all that you really get
from being with her
is bitter poison and pain.

5 If you follow her,
she will lead you down
to the world of the dead.

6 She has missed the path
that leads to life
and doesn't even know it.

7 My son, listen to me
and do everything I say.

8 Stay away from a bad woman!
Don't even go near the door
of her house.

9 You will lose your self-respect
and end up in debt
to some cruel person
for the rest of your life.

10 Strangers will get your money
and everything else
you have worked for.

11 When it's all over,
your body will waste away,
as you groan

12 and shout,
“I hated advice and correction!

13 I paid no attention
to my teachers,

14 and now I am disgraced
in front of everyone.”

15 You should be faithful
to your wife,
just as you take water
from your own well.t

16 And don't be like a stream
from which just any woman
may take a drink.

17 Save yourself for your wife
and don't have sex
with other women.

18 Be happy with the wife
you married
when you were young.

19 She is beautiful and graceful,
just like a deer;
you should be attracted to her
and stay deeply in love.

20 Don't go crazy over a woman
who is unfaithful
to her own husband!

21 The [Lord] sees everything,
and he watches us closely.

22 Sinners are trapped and caught
by their own evil deeds.

23 They get lost and die
because of their foolishness
and lack of self-control.