# Proverbs 5 [[Prov-04|← Proverbs 04]] | [[Proverbs]] | [[Prov-06|Proverbs 06 →]] *** ###### v1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding, ###### v2 that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge. ###### v3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil, ###### v4 but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword. ###### v5 Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol. ###### v6 She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn't know it. ###### v7 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me. Don't depart from the words of my mouth. ###### v8 Remove your way far from her. Don't come near the door of her house, ###### v9 lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one; ###### v10 lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich another man's house. ###### v11 You will groan at your latter end, when your flesh and your body are consumed, ###### v12 and say, "How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof. ###### v13 I haven't obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor turned my ear to those who instructed me! ###### v14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin, among the gathered assembly." ###### v15 Drink water out of your own cistern, running water out of your own well. ###### v16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares? ###### v17 Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you. ###### v18 Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. ###### v19 A loving doe and a graceful deer-- let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love. ###### v20 For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another? ###### v21 For the ways of man are before Yahweh's eyes. He examines all his paths. ###### v22 The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly. ###### v23 He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray. *** [[Prov-04|← Proverbs 04]] | [[Proverbs]] | [[Prov-06|Proverbs 06 →]]