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For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,
    and her mouth is smoother than oil.
But in the end she is as bitter as poison,
    as dangerous as a double-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death;
    her steps lead straight to the grave.[a]
For she cares nothing about the path to life.
    She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it.

So now, my sons, listen to me.
    Never stray from what I am about to say:
Stay away from her!
    Don’t go near the door of her house!
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.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:5 Hebrew to Sheol.

15 Drink water from your own well—
    share your love only with your wife.[a]
16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,
    having sex with just anyone?[b]
17 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.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:15 Hebrew Drink water from your own cistern, / flowing water from your own well.
  2. 5:16 Hebrew Why spill your springs in the streets, / your streams in the city squares?

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