New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone?
16
Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
17 You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers.
17
Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.
18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
18
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love.
19
A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
20 Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?
20
Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
21 For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
21
For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.
22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.
22
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.
23 He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.
23
For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.