Proverbs 5:3-13

3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,

4 But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, And as sharp as a two-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol.

6 She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn't know it.

7 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me. Don't depart from the words of my mouth.

8 Remove your way far from her. Don't come near the door of her house,

9 Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one;

10 Lest strangers feast on your wealth, And your labors enrich another man's house.

11 You will groan at your latter end, When your flesh and your body are consumed,

12 And say, "How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised reproof;

13 Neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor turned my ear to those who instructed me!

Proverbs 5:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

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.