Proverbs 5:16–18

16 Should your springs overflow in the streets,

your streams of water in the public squares?

17 Let them be yours alone,

never to be shared with strangers.

18 May your fountain be blessed,

and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad,

And rivers of waters in the streets.

17 Let them be only thine own,

And not strangers’ with thee.

18 Let thy fountain be blessed:

And rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,

having sex with just anyone?

17 You should reserve it for yourselves.

Never share it with strangers.

18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.

Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

16 Should your fountains be dispersed abroad,

Streams of water in the streets?

17 Let them be only your own,

And not for strangers with you.

18 Let your fountain be blessed,

And rejoice with the wife of your youth.

16 Don’t pour your water in the streets;

don’t give your love to just any woman.

17 These things are yours alone

and shouldn’t be shared with strangers.

18 Be happy with the wife you married when you were young.

She gives you joy, as your fountain gives you water.

16 Should thy springs be dispersed abroad,

And streams of water in the streets?

17 Let them be for thyself alone,

And not for strangers with thee.

18 Let thy fountain be blessed;

And rejoice in the wife of thy youth.

16 Thy fountains shall be poured forth, as water-brooks in the broadways. 17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. 18 Let thy fountain be blessed; and have joy of the wife of thy youth.

16 Why should water flow out of your spring? 

Why should your streams flow into the streets? 

17 They should be yours alone, 

so do not share them with strangers. 

18 Let your own fountain be blessed, 

and enjoy the girl you married when you were young, 

16 Should your springs flow in the streets,

streams of water in the public squares?

17 They should be for you alone

and not for you to share with strangers.

18 Let your fountain be blessed,

and take pleasure in the wife of your youth.

16 Should your springs be scattered abroad,

streams of water in the streets?

17 Let them be for yourself alone

and not for sharing with strangers.

18 Let your fountain be blessed,

and rejoice in the wife of your youth,

16 Shall your springs be scattered outward?

In the streets, shall there be streams of water?

17 May they be yours alone,

and not for strangers who are with you.

18 May your fountain be blessed,

and rejoice in the wife of your youth.

16 Should your springs pour out into the streets?

Should your streams of water pour out in public places?

17 No! Let them belong to you alone.

Never share them with strangers.

18 May your fountain be blessed.

May the wife you married when you were young make you happy.

16 Should your springs be dispersed abroad,

Streams of water in the streets?

17 Let them be yours alone

And not for strangers with you.

18 Let your fountain be blessed,

And rejoice in the wife of your youth.