Proverbs 5:1-15

New International Version

Warning Against Adultery

5 My son,^(A) pay attention to my wisdom,
    turn your ear to my words^(B) of insight,
²that you may maintain discretion
    and your lips may preserve knowledge.
³For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,
    and her speech is smoother than oil;^(C)
⁴but in the end she is bitter as gall,^(D)
    sharp as a double-edged sword.
⁵Her feet go down to death;
    her steps lead straight to the grave.^(E)
⁶She gives no thought to the way of life;
    her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.^(F)

⁷Now then, my sons, listen^(G) to me;
    do not turn aside from what I say.
⁸Keep to a path far from her,^(H)
    do not go near the door of her house,
⁹lest you lose your honor to others
    and your dignity^[a] to one who is cruel,
¹⁰lest strangers feast on your wealth
    and your toil enrich the house of another.^(I)
¹¹At the end of your life you will groan,
    when your flesh and body are spent.
¹²You will say, “How I hated discipline!
    How my heart spurned correction!^(J)
¹³I would not obey my teachers
    or turn my ear to my instructors.
¹⁴And I was soon in serious trouble^(K)
    in the assembly of God’s people.”^(L)

¹⁵Drink water from your own cistern,
running water from your own well.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Proverbs 5:9 Or years

Proverbs 5:18-19

New International Version

¹⁸May your fountain^(A) be blessed,
    and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.^(B)
¹⁹A loving doe, a graceful deer^(C)—
    may her breasts satisfy you always,
    may you ever be intoxicated with her love.

Read full chapter

Proverbs 5:22-23

New International Version

²²The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them;^(A)
the cords of their sins hold them fast.^(B)
²³For lack of discipline they will die,^(C)
led astray by their own great folly.^(D)