The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
20 My son, keep the rule of your father, and have in memory the teaching of your mother:
20
My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
21 Keep them ever folded in your heart, and have them hanging round your neck.
21
Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.
22 In your walking, it will be your guide; when you are sleeping, it will keep watch over you; when you are awake, it will have talk with you.
22
When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For the rule is a light, and the teaching a shining light; and the guiding words of training are the way of life.
23
For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,
24 They will keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the strange woman.
24
keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.
25 Let not your heart's desire go after her fair body; let not her eyes take you prisoner.
25
Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.
26 For a loose woman is looking for a cake of bread, but another man's wife goes after one's very life.
26
For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life.
27 May a man take fire to his breast without burning his clothing?
27
Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?
28 Or may one go on lighted coals, and his feet not be burned?
28
Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?
29 So it is with him who goes in to his neighbour's wife; he who has anything to do with her will not go free from punishment.
29
So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.
30 Men do not have a low opinion of a thief who takes food when he is in need of it:
30
People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
31 But if he is taken in the act he will have to give back seven times as much, giving up all his property which is in his house.
31
Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
32 He who takes another man's wife is without all sense: he who does it is the cause of destruction to his soul.
32
But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.
33 Wounds will be his and loss of honour, and his shame may not be washed away.
33
Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.
34 For bitter is the wrath of an angry husband; in the day of punishment he will have no mercy.
34
For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35 He will not take any payment; and he will not make peace with you though your money offerings are increased.
35
He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
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.