Add parallel Print Page Options

Be Faithful to Your Wife

My son, if you listen closely
    to my wisdom and good sense,
you will have sound judgment,
and you will always know
    the right thing to say.
The words of an immoral woman
may be as sweet as honey
    and as smooth as olive oil.
But all that you really get
from being with her
    is bitter poison and pain.
If you follow her,
she will lead you down
    to the world of the dead.
She has missed the path
that leads to life
    and doesn't even know it.

My son, listen to me
    and do everything I say.
Stay away from a bad woman!
Don't even go near the door
    of her house.
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.[a]
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.

Footnotes

  1. 5.15 own well: In biblical times water was scarce and wells were carefully guarded.

Bible Gateway Recommends