Proverbs 5:7-14

Proverbs 5:7-14

[7] Hear  me now therefore, O ye children,  and depart  not from the words  of my mouth.  [8] thy way  far  from her, and come not nigh  the door  of her house:  [9] Lest thou give  thine honour  unto others,  and thy years  unto the cruel:  [10] Lest strangers  be filled  with thy wealth;  and thy labours  be in the house  of a stranger;  [11] And thou mourn  at the last,  when thy flesh  and thy body  are consumed,  [12] And say,  How have I hated  instruction,  and my heart  despised  reproof;  [13] And have not obeyed  the voice  of my teachers,  nor inclined  mine ear  to them that instructed  [14] I was almost  in all evil  in the midst  of the congregation  and assembly. 

What does Proverbs 5:7-14 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The price of unfaithfulness is so high that it is unreasonable. Therefore one is wise to avoid tempting himself or herself by continuing to admire the "merchandise." Most marital infidelity occurs because the parties involved continue to spend time together. Here Solomon advised avoiding the company of a temptress (cf. Genesis 39:10; 2 Timothy 2:22; Matthew 5:28-29).
The price of unfaithfulness is not just physical disease ( Proverbs 5:11 b)-though that may be part of it in many cases-but total personal ruin. Infidelity dissipates all of one"s powers ( Proverbs 5:9 a). Others will exploit him ( Proverbs 5:9-10), he will hate himself ( Proverbs 5:11-13), and he will quite possibly suffer ruin in his community ( Proverbs 5:14). Proverbs 5:9 b would fit a situation involving blackmail, a not uncommon accompaniment to marital unfaithfulness.
"Although sexual immorality today may not lead to slavery, it still leads to alimony, child support, broken homes, hurt, jealousy, lonely people, and venereal disease." [1]
"The use of both "flesh" and "body" [2] underscores the fact that the whole body is exhausted." [3]