Proverbs 5:1-6:10

Warning Against Adultery 1My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,

2that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

3For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;

4but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.

5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.

6She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

7Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.

8Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,

9lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity Or years to one who is cruel,

10lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another.

11At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.

12You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!

13I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors.

14And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.”

15Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.

16Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

17Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.

18May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

19A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.

20Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?

21For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.

22The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. 23For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.

Warnings Against Folly 1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,

2you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.

3So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion— Or Go and humble yourself, and give your neighbor no rest!

4Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.

5Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

6Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

7It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,

8yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

9How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?

10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—