Proverbs 5
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v1
My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding,
v2
that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge.
v3
For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,
v4
but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword.
v5
Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol.
v6
She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know it.
v7
Now therefore, my sons, listen to me. Don’t depart from the words of my mouth.
v8
Remove your way far from her. Don’t come near the door of her house,
v9
lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one;
v10
lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich another man’s house.
v11
You will groan at your latter end, when your flesh and your body are consumed,
v12
and say, “How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof.
v13
I haven’t obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor turned my ear to those who instructed me!
v14
I have come to the brink of utter ruin, among the gathered assembly.”
v15
Drink water out of your own cistern, running water out of your own well.
v16
Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares?
v17
Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you.
v18
Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
v19
A loving doe and a graceful deer— let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love.
v20
For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?
v21
For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes. He examines all his paths.
v22
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
v23
He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.