> [[proverbs-04|← Previous]] | [[proverbs-00|TOC]] | [[proverbs-06|Next →]] --- # Proverbs, Chapter 5 ## Chapter 5 ### Warning Against [[adultery]] 1 My son, to my wisdom be attentive, ^proverbs-05-1 to understanding incline your ear, 2 That you may act discreetly, ^proverbs-05-2 and your lips guard what you know. 3 Indeed, the lips of the stranger drip honey, ^proverbs-05-3 and her mouth is smoother than oil; 4 But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, ^proverbs-05-4 as sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death, ^proverbs-05-5 her steps reach Sheol; 6 Her paths ramble, you know not where, ^proverbs-05-6 lest you see before you the road to life. 7 So now, children, listen to me, ^proverbs-05-7 do not stray from the words of my mouth. 8 Keep your way far from her, ^proverbs-05-8 do not go near the door of her house, 9 Lest you give your honor to others, ^proverbs-05-9 and your years to a merciless one; 10 Lest outsiders take their fill of your wealth, ^proverbs-05-10 and your hard-won earnings go to another’s house; 11 And you groan in the end, ^proverbs-05-11 when your flesh and your body are consumed; 12 And you say, “Oh, why did I hate instruction, ^proverbs-05-12 and my heart spurn reproof! 13 Why did I not listen to the voice of my teachers, ^proverbs-05-13 incline my ear to my instructors! 14 I am all but ruined, ^proverbs-05-14 in the midst of the public assembly!” 15 Drink water from your own cistern, ^proverbs-05-15 running water from your own well. 16 Should your water sources be dispersed abroad, ^proverbs-05-16 streams of water in the streets? 17 Let them be yours alone, ^proverbs-05-17 not shared with outsiders; 18 Let your fountain be blessed and have joy of the wife of your youth, ^proverbs-05-18 19 your lovely hind, your graceful doe. ^proverbs-05-19 Of whose love you will ever have your fill, and by her ardor always be intoxicated. 20 Why then, my son, should you be intoxicated with a stranger, ^proverbs-05-20 and embrace another woman? 21 Indeed, the ways of each person are plain to the LORD’s sight; ^proverbs-05-21 all their paths he surveys; 22 By their own iniquities the wicked will be caught, ^proverbs-05-22 in the meshes of their own sin they will be held fast; 23 They will die from lack of discipline, ^proverbs-05-23 lost because of their great folly. \* (5:1] – [23) This is the first of three poems on the forbidden woman, the “stranger” outside the social boundaries (cf. [2:16] – [19]); the other two are [6:20] – [35] and chap. [7]. Understanding and discretion are necessary to avoid [[adultery]], which leads astray and begets bitterness, bloodshed, and death (vv. [1] – [6]). It destroys honor, wastes the years of life, despoils hard-earned wealth, and brings remorse in the end (vv. [7] – [14]). Conjugal fidelity and love bring happiness and security (vv. [15] – [20]). Cf. [6:20] – [7:27]. The structure of the poem consists of a two-line introduction; part one consists of three stanzas of four lines each warning of the forbidden woman’s effect on her lovers (vv. [3] – [14]); part two consists of a stanza of twelve lines exhorting the disciple to marital fidelity (vv. [15] – [20]); and a final stanza of six lines on the perils of the woman (vv. [21] – [23]). \* (5:3) A metaphorical level is established in the opening description of the forbidden woman: her lips drip honey and her feet lead to death. By her lies, she leads people away from the wisdom that gives life. \* (5:9) Honor: the words “life” and “wealth” have also been read in this place. A merciless one: the offended husband; cf. [6:34] – [35]. \* (5:15] – [16) Water: water may have an erotic meaning as in [Sg 4:15], “\[You are\] a garden fountain, a well of living water.” Eating and drinking can be metaphors expressing the mutuality of love. The wife is the opposite of the adulterous woman; she is not an outsider, not unfeeling, not a destroyer of her husband’s self and goods. The best defense against [[adultery]] is appreciating and loving one’s spouse. The best defense against folly is to appreciate and love wisdom. \* (5:19) Lovely hind…graceful doe: ancient Near Eastern symbols of feminine beauty and charm; cf. [Sg 2:7], [9], [17]. a. (5:3) [Prv 7:5]. b. (5:5) [Prv 2:18]; [7:27]. c. (5:8) [Prv 7:25]. d. (5:9) [Sir 9:6]. e. (5:21) [Jb 14:16]; [31:4]; [34:21]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[proverbs-04|← Previous]] | [[proverbs-00|TOC]] | [[proverbs-06|Next →]]