Proverbs 5

VIN^{(i) 1} My son, pay attention to my wisdom, and listen closely to my insight, ² that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge. ³ For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil. 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 lead straight to Sheol. ⁶ She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know it. ⁷ Now, children, listen to me. Do not turn away from what I am saying. ⁸ Keep far away from her. Do not go near the door of her house. ⁹ lest you give your honor to others and your years to the cruel; ¹⁰ lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich another man's house. ¹¹ and you groan at your end, when your flesh and body are consumed, ¹² And you say, How I have hated discipline, And my heart has spurned correction!" ¹³ I did not obey my teachers and did not listen to my instructors. ¹⁴ I have come to the brink of utter ruin, in the midst of the gathered assembly." ¹⁵ Drink water from your own cistern. Drink running water from your own well. ¹⁶ Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares? ¹⁷ Let them be yours alone. Do not share with strangers. ¹⁸ May your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth. ¹⁹ A loving doe and a graceful deer-- let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love. ²⁰ For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another? ²¹ For the ways of man are before the LORD's eyes. He examines all his paths. ²² The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly. ²³ He will die for lack of discipline, and he goes astray because of his great folly.