Proverbs 5:20

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, or embrace the bosom of a stranger?

American Standard Version (1901)

For why shouldest thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?

Bible in Basic English

Why let yourself, my son, go out of the way with a strange woman, and take another woman in your arms?

Douay-Rheims 1899

Why art thou seduced, my son, by a strange woman, and art cherished in the bosom of another?

Free Bible Version

Why, my son, become intoxicated with an immoral woman? Why embrace the breasts of a woman who acts like a prostitute?

Geneva Bible 1599

For why shouldest thou delite, my sonne, in a strange woman, or embrace the bosome of a stranger?

King James (Authorized) Version

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

One Unity Resource Bible

For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?

Translation for Translators

My son, do not be [RHQ] captivated/charmed by an immoral woman! Do not fondle the breasts of another man’s wife!

Unlocked Literal Bible

For why should you, my son, be captivated by an adulteress; why should you embrace the breasts of an immoral woman?

Noah Webster Bible

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

World English Bible

For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?

Young's Literal Translation

And why dost thou magnify thyself, My son, with a stranger? And embrace the bosom of a strange woman?

Context

Avoiding Immorality

¹⁹A loving doe, a graceful fawn— may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever. ²⁰Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, or embrace the bosom of a stranger? ²¹For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.

Summary

Proverbs 5:20 warns against the dangers of adultery and the seductive words of an adulterous woman. It cautions against being lured by immoral behavior and emphasizes the importance of faithfulness in marriage. The verse serves as a reminder to guard one's heart and to stay committed to one's spouse, highlighting the destructive consequences of straying from the path of righteousness. Ultimately, it encourages individuals to cherish and protect the sanctity of marriage and to resist temptations that can lead to broken relationships and spiritual harm.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman,.... Or "err with her" (y); after all those inconveniences and miseries that follow upon a conversation with a harlot, and all those advantages of a marriage state set before thee; why wilt thou be, so foolish and mad as to have a fondness for an harlot and dote upon her, and neglect entering into a marriage state, or forsake the wife of youth? and yet though things are so clearly stated and aptly represented, and the expostulation made in the most tender and affectionate manner; it is suggested as if after all it would not be attended unto, but a harlot be preferred to a wife of youth, a filthy beast to a loving hind, and dirty puddles of water in a ditch to running streams from a well or fountain; and embrace the bosom of a stranger? that is not thy wife; a description of unlawful love and impure embraces, which are dissuaded from. (y) "Errares", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "aberrares", Cocceius.

Proverbs 5:20

Avoiding Immorality

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, or embrace the bosom of a stranger?

American Standard Version (1901)

For why shouldest thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?

Bible in Basic English

Why let yourself, my son, go out of the way with a strange woman, and take another woman in your arms?

Douay-Rheims 1899

Why art thou seduced, my son, by a strange woman, and art cherished in the bosom of another?

Free Bible Version

Why, my son, become intoxicated with an immoral woman? Why embrace the breasts of a woman who acts like a prostitute?

Geneva Bible 1599

For why shouldest thou delite, my sonne, in a strange woman, or embrace the bosome of a stranger?

King James (Authorized) Version

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

One Unity Resource Bible

For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?

Translation for Translators

My son, do not be [RHQ] captivated/charmed by an immoral woman! Do not fondle the breasts of another man’s wife!

Unlocked Literal Bible

For why should you, my son, be captivated by an adulteress; why should you embrace the breasts of an immoral woman?

Noah Webster Bible

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

World English Bible

For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another?

Young's Literal Translation

And why dost thou magnify thyself, My son, with a stranger? And embrace the bosom of a strange woman?