Proverbs 2:19

19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.

Proverbs 2:19 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
English Standard Version (ESV)
19 none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life.
New Living Translation (NLT)
19 The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.
The Message Bible (MSG)
19 No one who joins her company ever comes back, ever sets foot on the path to real living.
American Standard Version (ASV)
19 None that go unto her return again, Neither do they attain unto the paths of life:
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
19 None who have sex with her come back. Nor do they ever reach the paths of life.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
19 None return who go to her; none reach the paths of life.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
19 No one who goes to her comes back or reaches the paths of life.

Proverbs 2:19 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 2:19

None that go unto her return again
That is, those that commit whoredom with her return not again by repentance, and to a sober and chaste way of living, at least but very few; hence some of the ancients thought adultery was the unpardonable sin; but it is certain that some have been recovered by the power of divine grace, and have been brought to repentance for their impure manner of life, and have truly believed in Christ, and lived sober and godly lives afterwards; but, as the Targum adds, they do not return "in peace", but with great distress of mind, remorse of conscience, and bitterness of soul; and these instances are rare; generally speaking, such as are ensnared by an adulterous woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are as bands, are held so fast by her that they seldom get out again, though some few may escape, ( Ecclesiastes 7:26 ) . The words may be rendered, "all that go into her F26 shall not return again"; no, very few of them. And it is a very rare thing, when men are fallen into idolatry, superstition, will worship, and heresy, that they are recovered out of this snare of the devil; there is a peradventure they may, but it is not often that they be loosed from it, ( 2 Timothy 2:25 2 Timothy 2:26 ) ; neither take they hold of the paths of life;
Christ, and the ways of Christ, which lead to eternal life; few there be that find these paths and walk in them, ( Matthew 7:14 ) ; and especially such as are drawn aside by an impure woman, they are held so fast by her alluring charms, and so bewildered by her art of deceiving, that they are like persons that are led out of their way, and cannot find it again.


FOOTNOTES:

F26 (hyab lk) "omnes ingredientes eam", Pagninus, Montanus.

Proverbs 2:19 In-Context

17 who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.
18 Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.
20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it;

Cross References 1

  • 1. Proverbs 3:16-18; Proverbs 5:8; Ecclesiastes 7:26
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