Proverbios 5

1 Hijo mío, está atento a mi sabiduría, y a mi inteligencia inclina tu oído

2 para que guardes consejo, y tus labios conserven la ciencia

3 Porque los labios de la mujer extraña destilan miel, y su paladar es más blando que el aceite

4 mas su fin es amargo como el ajenjo, agudo como espada de dos filos

5 Sus pies descienden a la muerte; sus pasos sustentan el Seol

6 si no pesares el camino de vida, sus caminos son inestables; no los conocerás

7 Ahora pues, hijos, oídme, y no os apartéis de las razones de mi boca

8 Aleja de ella tu camino, y no te acerques a la puerta de su casa

9 para que no des a los extraños tu honor, y tus años al cruel

10 para que no se harten los extraños de tu fuerza, y tus trabajos estén en casa del extraño

11 y gimas en tus postrimerías, cuando se consumiere tu carne y tu cuerpo

12 y digas: ¡Cómo aborrecí el castigo, y mi corazón menospreció la reprensión

13 y no oí la voz de los que me castigaban; y a los que me enseñaban no incliné mi oído

14 Casi en todo mal he estado, en medio de la sociedad y de la congregación

15 Bebe el agua de tu propia cisterna, y las corrientes de tu propio pozo

16 Rebosan por fuera tus fuentes, en las plazas los ríos de tus aguas

17 Sean para ti solo, y no para los extraños contigo

18 Será bendito tu manantial; y alégrate de la mujer de tu juventud

19 Como cierva de amores y graciosa gacela, sus pechos te satisfagan en todo tiempo; y en su amor andarás ciego de continuo, sin fijar tus ojos en nadie más

20 ¿Y por qué, hijo mío, andarás ciego con la ajena, y abrazarás el seno de la extraña

21 Pues que los caminos del hombre están ante los ojos del SEÑOR, ¡y él pesa todas sus veredas

22 Sus propias iniquidades prenderán al impío, y con las cuerdas de su pecado será detenido

23 El morirá por no haberse sometido al castigo; y por la grandeza de su locura, errará

Proverbios 5 Commentary

Chapter 5

Exhortations to wisdom. The evils of licentiousness. (1-14) Remedies against licentiousness, The miserable end of the wicked. (15-23)

Verses 1-14 Solomon cautions all young men, as his children, to abstain from fleshly lusts. Some, by the adulterous woman, here understand idolatry, false doctrine, which tends to lead astray men's minds and manners; but the direct view is to warn against seventh-commandment sins. Often these have been, and still are, Satan's method of drawing men from the worship of God into false religion. Consider how fatal the consequences; how bitter the fruit! Take it any way, it wounds. It leads to the torments of hell. The direct tendency of this sin is to the destruction of body and soul. We must carefully avoid every thing which may be a step towards it. Those who would be kept from harm, must keep out of harm's way. If we thrust ourselves into temptation we mock God when we pray, Lead us not into temptation. How many mischiefs attend this sin! It blasts the reputation; it wastes time; it ruins the estate; it is destructive to health; it will fill the mind with horror. Though thou art merry now, yet sooner or later it will bring sorrow. The convinced sinner reproaches himself, and makes no excuse for his folly. By the frequent acts of sin, the habits of it become rooted and confirmed. By a miracle of mercy true repentance may prevent the dreadful consequences of such sins; but this is not often; far more die as they have lived. What can express the case of the self-ruined sinner in the eternal world, enduring the remorse of his conscience!

Verses 15-23 Lawful marriage is a means God has appointed to keep from these destructive vices. But we are not properly united, except as we attend to God's word, seeking his direction and blessing, and acting with affection. Ever remember, that though secret sins may escape the eyes of our fellow-creatures, yet a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, who not only sees, but ponders all his goings. Those who are so foolish as to choose the way of sin, are justly left of God to themselves, to go on in the way to destruction.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 5

The general instruction of this chapter is to avoid whoredom, and make use of lawful marriage, and keep to that. It is introduced with an exhortation to attend to wisdom and understanding, Pr 5:1,2; one part of which lies in shunning an adulterous woman; who is described by her flattery, with which she deceives; by the end she brings men to, which is destruction and death; and by the uncertainty of her ways, which cannot be known, Pr 5:3-6. Wherefore men are advised to keep at the utmost distance from her, Pr 5:7,8; lest their honour, strength, wealth, and labours, be given to others, Pr 5:9,10; and repentance and mourning follow, when too late, Pr 5:11-14. And, as a remedy against whoredom, entering into a marriage state is advised to, and a strict regard to that; allegorically expressed by a man's drinking water out of his fountain, and by his wife being as a loving hind and pleasant roe to him, the single object of his affections, Pr 5:15-19. As also the consideration of the divine omniscience is proposed, to deter him from the sin of adultery, Pr 5:20,21; as well as the inevitable ruin wicked men are brought into by it, Pr 5:22,23.