Proverbs 5:16

16 It's true. Otherwise, you may one day come home and find your barrel empty and your well polluted.

Proverbs 5:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 5:16

Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad
Or "shall abound", as the Targum; that is, streams of water from fountains; which Aben Ezra interprets of a multitude of children, namely, that are lawfully begotten: the "fountains" are the man and his wife in lawful marriage; the streams are their offspring lawfully procreated by them; which may be said to be "dispersed abroad", when being grown up they are disposed of in marriage in other families, and so become fountains to others, and public blessings; [and] rivers of waters in the streets;
meaning a numerous posterity as before; and such as a man is not ashamed publicly to own, whereas he is ashamed of such as are unlawfully begotten; but these are to his honour in the streets, and for public good; and particularly to those to whom they are given in marriage; see ( Isaiah 48:1 ) . Jarchi interprets this of multiplying disciples, and of teaching them the law publicly, and of getting a name thereby; but it might be interpreted much better of spreading the doctrines of the Gospel, and of the public ministry and profession of that, for the good of others.

Proverbs 5:16 In-Context

14 My life is ruined! I haven't one blessed thing to show for my life!" Never Take Love for Granted
15 Do you know the saying, "Drink from your own rain barrel, draw water from your own spring-fed well"?
16 It's true. Otherwise, you may one day come home and find your barrel empty and your well polluted.
17 Your spring water is for you and you only, not to be passed around among strangers.
18 Bless your fresh-flowing fountain! Enjoy the wife you married as a young man!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.