My son, don't be held captive by a woman who takes part in adultery. Don't hold another man's wife. The Lord sees everything you do. He watches where you go. An evil man will be caught in his evil ways. He will be tied up by his sins as if they were ropes. He will die because he does not control himself. He will be held captive by his own foolishness.
   A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.
   Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home. Can't you hear the voice of wisdom? . . . Listen to what she says!
   My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Listen to my words of understanding. Be careful to use good sense. Watch what you say. The words of another man's wife may seem sweet as honey. Her words may be as pleasant as olive oil. But in the end she will bring you sorrow. She will cause you pain like a two-edged sword. She is on the way to death. Her steps are headed straight to the grave. She gives no thought to life. She does not know that her ways are wrong.
   Now, my sons, listen to me. Don't ignore what I say. Stay away from such a woman. Don't even go near the door of her house. Lest you give your honor to others, and your years to those without mercy; lest strangers [and false teachings] take their fill of your strength and wealth, and your labors go to the house of an alien . . . and you groan and mourn when your end comes, when your flesh and body are consumed, and you say, "How I hated instruction and discipline, and my heart despised reproof ! I hated self-control!
   "Oh, if only I had listened! If only I had not demanded my own way! I have come very close to being completely ruined in front of a whole group of people. Why was I so stupid? For now I must face public disgrace."
   Drink waters out of your own cistern [of pure marriage relationship], and fresh running waters out of your own well. Should your offspring be dispersed abroad as water-brooks in the streets? These things are yours alone. Don't share them with strangers. Be happy with the wife you married when you were young.

Taken from Proverbs 5, 21, 27, 8, The New International Version, The Everyday Bible,
The Amplified Bible, The Revised Standard Version and The Living Bible.
For free Lifescope book, write to Box 1575, Carlsbad, NM 88221.
Please send $1.00 for postage and handling.