3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech ; 4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood , Sharp as a two-edged sword . 5 Her feet go down to death , Her steps take hold of Sheol . 6 She does not ponder the path of life ; Her ways are unstable , she does not know it. 7 Now then, my sons , listen to me And do not depart from the words of my mouth . 8 Keep your way far from her And do not go near the door of her house , 9 Or you will give your vigor to others And your years to the cruel one ; 10 And strangers will be filled with your strength And your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien ; 11 And you groan at your final end , When your flesh and your body are consumed ; 12 And you say , "How I have hated instruction ! And my heart spurned reproof ! 13 "I have not listened to the voice of my teachers , Nor inclined my ear to my instructors ! 14 "I was almost in utter ruin In the midst of the assembly and congregation ."
15 Drink water from your own cistern And fresh water from your own well . 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 . 19 As a loving hind and a graceful doe , Let her breasts satisfy you at all times ; Be exhilarated always with her love . 20 For why should you, my son , be exhilarated with an adulteress And embrace the bosom of a foreigner ?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 5:3-20
Commentary on Proverbs 5:1-14
(Read Proverbs 5:1-14)
Solomon cautions all young men, as his children, to abstain from fleshly lusts. Some, by the adulterous woman, here understand idolatry, false doctrine, which tends to lead astray men's minds and manners; but the direct view is to warn against seventh-commandment sins. Often these have been, and still are, Satan's method of drawing men from the worship of God into false religion. Consider how fatal the consequences; how bitter the fruit! Take it any way, it wounds. It leads to the torments of hell. The direct tendency of this sin is to the destruction of body and soul. We must carefully avoid every thing which may be a step towards it. Those who would be kept from harm, must keep out of harm's way. If we thrust ourselves into temptation we mock God when we pray, Lead us not into temptation. How many mischiefs attend this sin! It blasts the reputation; it wastes time; it ruins the estate; it is destructive to health; it will fill the mind with horror. Though thou art merry now, yet sooner or later it will bring sorrow. The convinced sinner reproaches himself, and makes no excuse for his folly. By the frequent acts of sin, the habits of it become rooted and confirmed. By a miracle of mercy true repentance may prevent the dreadful consequences of such sins; but this is not often; far more die as they have lived. What can express the case of the self-ruined sinner in the eternal world, enduring the remorse of his conscience!
Commentary on Proverbs 5:15-23
(Read Proverbs 5:15-23)
Lawful marriage is a means God has appointed to keep from these destructive vices. But we are not properly united, except as we attend to God's word, seeking his direction and blessing, and acting with affection. Ever remember, that though secret sins may escape the eyes of our fellow-creatures, yet a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, who not only sees, but ponders all his goings. Those who are so foolish as to choose the way of sin, are justly left of God to themselves, to go on in the way to destruction.