Proverbs 5:6

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

She does not consider the path of life; she does not know that her ways are unstable.

American Standard Version (1901)

So that she findeth not the level path of life: Her ways are unstable, and she knoweth it not.

Bible in Basic English

She never keeps her mind on the road of life; her ways are uncertain, she has no knowledge.

Douay-Rheims 1899

They walk not by the path of life, her steps are wandering, and unaccountable.

Free Bible Version

She doesn't follow the path that leads to life—she wanders away and doesn't even know she's lost.

Geneva Bible 1599

She weigheth not the way of life: her paths are moueable: thou canst not knowe them.

King James (Authorized) Version

Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

One Unity Resource Bible

She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she does not know it.

Translation for Translators

She is not concerned about the roads that lead to a long life. She walks down a crooked path, and she does not realize that she is on the wrong road.

Unlocked Literal Bible

She gives no thought to the path of life. Her footsteps wander; she does not know where she is going.

Noah Webster Bible

Lest thou shouldst ponder the path of life, her ways are movable, that thou canst not know them .

World English Bible

She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know it.

Young's Literal Translation

The path of life — lest thou ponder, Moved have her paths — thou knowest not.

Context

Avoiding Immorality

⁵Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol. ⁶She does not consider the path of life; she does not know that her ways are unstable.

Summary

This verse in Proverbs warns against the enticing words of an adulterous woman, whose path leads to destruction and ruin. It serves as a cautionary reminder to avoid the temptations of immorality and to stay faithful to one's spouse. The imagery used underscores the consequences of giving in to sinful desires, emphasizing the importance of guarding one's heart and making wise choices in relationships. Ultimately, the verse highlights the need for discernment and self-control in the face of seductive influences that can lead one astray.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

her ways . . . know--Some prefer, "that she may not ponder the path of life," &c.; but perhaps a better sense is, "her ways are varied, so as to prevent your knowledge of her true character, and so of true happiness."

John Gill Bible Commentary

Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life,.... Consider and meditate which is the way to get out of her hands and ways, and escape death, and obtain eternal life; lest those she has drawn into her wicked course of life should be religiously inclined, and think of quitting such a course, and inquire after the way of life and salvation; and be weighing in their minds which is most eligible, to continue with her whose feet lead to death, or to take the path of life: to prevent all this, if possible, her ways are movable: she appears in different shapes; changes her dress and habitation; makes use of a thousand arts to ensnare men, to entangle their affections, and retain them in her nets; she first puts them upon one thing, and then on another; she leads them into various mazes and labyrinths of sin, till they have lost all sense of religion, and sight of the path of life; that thou canst not know them; her ways, arts, and devices. Or, "thou canst not know" (k); that is, the way of life, or how to get out of her ways into that. Or, "thou knowest not"; where she goes, whither she leads thee, and what will be the end and issue of such a course of life. The Targum understands it, and so some other interpreters, of the harlot herself, paraphrasing the whole thus; "in the way of life she walks not; her ways are unstable, and she knows not'' the way of life, nor where her ways will end; or, "cares not" (l) what becomes of her. And so, in like manner, the former part of the verse is understood and interpreted, "lest she ponder the path of life" (m); or as others, "she does not ponder the path of life" (n); The ways of the antichristian harlot are with all deceivableness of unrighteousness; and her chief care is to keep persons in ignorance, and from pondering the path of life or true religion, and to retain them in her idolatry, Th2 2:9. (k) "non scires", Cocceius; "non cognosces", Baynus. (l) "Haud curat", Schultens. (m) "iter vitae ne forte libraverit", Schultens. (n) "Viam vitae non appendit, vel ponderat", Gejerus; so Luther; "iter vitae non expandit", Noldius, p. 249. No. 2008.