Warning About Adultery

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;

listen to my words of understanding.

2  Be careful to use good sense,

and watch what you say.

3  The words of another man’s wife may seem sweet as honey;

they may be as smooth as olive oil.

4  But in the end she will bring you sorrow,

causing you pain like a two-edged sword.

5  She is on the way to death;

her steps are headed straight to the grave.

6  She gives little thought to life.

She doesn’t even know that her ways are wrong.

7  Now, my sons, listen to me,

and don’t ignore what I say.

8  Stay away from such a woman.

Don’t even go near the door of her house,

9  or you will give your riches to others,

and the best years of your life will be given to someone cruel.

10  Strangers will enjoy your wealth,

and what you worked so hard for will go to someone else.

11  You will groan at the end of your life

when your health is gone.

12  Then you will say, “I hated being told what to do!

I would not listen to correction!

13  I would not listen to my teachers

or pay attention to my instructors.

14  I came close to being completely ruined

in front of a whole group of people.”

15  Be faithful to your own wife,

just as you drink water from your own well.

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.

19  She is as lovely and graceful as a deer.

Let her love always make you happy;

let her love always hold you captive.

20  My son, don’t be held captive by a woman who takes part in adultery.

Don’t fondle a woman who is not your wife.

21  The Lord sees everything you do,

and he watches where you go.

22  An evil man will be caught in his wicked ways;

the ropes of his sins will tie him up.

23  He will die because he does not control himself,

and he will be held captive by his foolishness.