Every Man's Bible - Proverbs - Flipbook - Page 10
Proverbs 5 | page 836
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For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve
done their evil deed for the day.
They can’t rest until they’ve caused
someone to stumble.
They eat the food of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence!
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The way of the righteous is like the first
gleam of dawn,
which shines ever brighter until the full
light of day.
But the way of the wicked is like total
darkness.
They have no idea what they are
stumbling over.
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My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your
heart,
22 for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body.
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23
Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
24
Avoid all perverse talk;
stay away from corrupt speech.
Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before
you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.
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4
Avoid Immoral Women
My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
listen carefully to my wise counsel.
Then you will show discernment,
and your lips will express what you’ve
learned.
For the lips of an immoral woman are as
sweet as honey,
and her mouth is smoother than oil.
But in the end she is as bitter as poison,
as dangerous as a double-edged sword.
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Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.*
For she cares nothing about the path
to life.
She staggers down a crooked trail and
doesn’t realize it.
So now, my sons, listen to me.
Never stray from what I am about
to say:
Stay away from her!
Don’t go near the door of her house!
If you do, you will lose your honor
and will lose to merciless people all you
have achieved.
Strangers will consume your wealth,
and someone else will enjoy the fruit
of your labor.
In the end you will groan in anguish
when disease consumes your body.
You will say, “How I hated discipline!
If only I had not ignored all the
warnings!
Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers?
Why didn’t I pay attention to my
instructors?
I have come to the brink of utter ruin,
and now I must face public disgrace.”
Drink water from your own well—
share your love only with your wife.*
Why spill the water of your springs in
the streets,
having sex with just anyone?*
You should reserve it for yourselves.
Never share it with strangers.
Let your wife be a fountain of blessing
for 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.
20 Why be captivated, my son, by an
immoral woman,
or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous
woman?
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5:5 Hebrew to Sheol. 5:15 Hebrew Drink water from your own cistern, / flowing water from your own well.
Why spill your springs in the streets, / your streams in the city squares?
5:16 Hebrew
4:23-27 The warning to guard our hearts is also a warning to not give in to the temptation of sinful pleasures
of all kinds. Indulging in sin seems pleasurable at first, but in the end its promise is empty and bitter. Sin may
satisfy short-term desires, but its consequences are long-term, impeding our spiritual growth.
5:1-23 Sexual temptation is often very hard to resist, even if we are aware of the dangers and consequences.
Throughout the book of Proverbs there are warnings against promiscuity (see 2:16-19; 6:25-35; 7:6-27;
9:13-18; 22:14; 23:26-28). Infidelity goes against God’s laws. In addition, it can destroy our family life and
our physical health and result in pregnancy. If we are given to sexual sin, we must run from any situations
where we might be tempted. Also, we should seek help from other believers.
