Proverbs 5 – read and compare multiple versions
Proverbs 5
[1] My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
Turn your ear to my understanding,
[2] that you may maintain discretion,
that your lips may preserve knowledge.
[3] For the lips of an adulteress drip honey.
Her mouth is smoother than oil,
[4] but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood,
and as sharp as a two-edged sword.
[5] Her feet go down to death.
Her steps lead straight to Sheol.
[6] She gives no thought to the way of life.
Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know it. [7] Now therefore, my sons, listen to me.
Don’t depart from the words of my mouth.
[8] Remove your way far from her.
Don’t come near the door of her house,
[9] lest you give your honor to others,
and your years to the cruel one;
[10] lest strangers feast on your wealth,
and your labors enrich another man’s house.
[11] You will groan at your latter end,
when your flesh and your body are consumed,
[12] and say, “How I have hated instruction,
and my heart despised reproof.
[13] I haven’t obeyed the voice of my teachers,
nor turned my ear to those who instructed me!
[14] I have come to the brink of utter ruin,
among the gathered assembly.” [15] Drink water out of your own cistern,
running water out of your own well.
[16] Should your springs overflow in the streets,
streams of water in the public squares?
[17] Let them be for yourself alone,
not for strangers with you.
[18] Let your spring be blessed.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
[19] A loving doe and a graceful deer—
let her breasts satisfy you at all times.
Be captivated always with her love.
[20] For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress?
Why embrace the bosom of another?
[21] For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes.
He examines all his paths.
[22] The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him.
The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
[23] He will die for lack of instruction.
In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.
Turn your ear to my understanding,
[2] that you may maintain discretion,
that your lips may preserve knowledge.
[3] For the lips of an adulteress drip honey.
Her mouth is smoother than oil,
[4] but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood,
and as sharp as a two-edged sword.
[5] Her feet go down to death.
Her steps lead straight to Sheol.
[6] She gives no thought to the way of life.
Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know it. [7] Now therefore, my sons, listen to me.
Don’t depart from the words of my mouth.
[8] Remove your way far from her.
Don’t come near the door of her house,
[9] lest you give your honor to others,
and your years to the cruel one;
[10] lest strangers feast on your wealth,
and your labors enrich another man’s house.
[11] You will groan at your latter end,
when your flesh and your body are consumed,
[12] and say, “How I have hated instruction,
and my heart despised reproof.
[13] I haven’t obeyed the voice of my teachers,
nor turned my ear to those who instructed me!
[14] I have come to the brink of utter ruin,
among the gathered assembly.” [15] Drink water out of your own cistern,
running water out of your own well.
[16] Should your springs overflow in the streets,
streams of water in the public squares?
[17] Let them be for yourself alone,
not for strangers with you.
[18] Let your spring be blessed.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
[19] A loving doe and a graceful deer—
let her breasts satisfy you at all times.
Be captivated always with her love.
[20] For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress?
Why embrace the bosom of another?
[21] For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes.
He examines all his paths.
[22] The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him.
The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
[23] He will die for lack of instruction.
In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.