Proverbs 6:20–35

²⁰My son, keep the commandments of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.

²¹Bind them in thy heart continually, and put them about thy neck.

²²When thou walkest, let them go with thee: when thou sleepest, let them keep thee, and when thou awakest, talk with them.

²³Because the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

²⁴That they may keep thee from the evil woman, and from the flattering tongue of the stranger.

²⁵Let not thy heart covet her beauty, be not caught with her winks:

²⁶For the price of a harlot is scarce one loaf: but the woman catcheth the precious soul of a man.

²⁷Can a man hide fire in his bosom, and his garments not burn?

²⁸Or can he walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt?

²⁹So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife, shall not be clean when he shall touch her.

³⁰The fault is not so great when a man hath stolen: for he stealeth to fill his hungry soul:

³¹And if he be taken, he shall restore sevenfold, and shall give up all the substance of his house.

³²But he that is an adulterer, for the folly of his heart shall destroy his own soul:

³³He gathereth to himself shame and dishonour, and his reproach shall not be blotted out:

³⁴Because the jealousy and rage of the husband will not spare in the day of revenge,

³⁵Nor will he yield to any man’s prayers, nor will he accept for satisfaction ever so many gifts.