Proverbs 5:1-14

Warning Against Adultery

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;
4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.
7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.
8 Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,
9 lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity[a] to one who is cruel,
10 lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another.
11 At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.
12 You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!
13 I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors.
14 And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.”

Cross References 12

  • 1. S Proverbs 1:8
  • 2. Proverbs 4:20; Proverbs 22:17
  • 3. S Psalms 55:21; Proverbs 2:16; Proverbs 7:5
  • 4. Ecclesiastes 7:26
  • 5. S Psalms 9:17; S Proverbs 2:18; Proverbs 7:26-27
  • 6. Proverbs 9:13; Proverbs 30:20
  • 7. Proverbs 1:8-9; Proverbs 7:24
  • 8. S Proverbs 2:16-19; Proverbs 6:20-29; Proverbs 7:1-27
  • 9. Proverbs 29:3
  • 10. Proverbs 1:29; Proverbs 12:1
  • 11. Proverbs 1:24-27; Proverbs 6:33
  • 12. Proverbs 31:3

Footnotes 1

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.