Proverbs 5:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner,

NIV: lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another.

NASB: And strangers will be filled with your strength, And your hard-earned possessions will go to the house of a foreigner;

CSB: strangers will drain your resources, and your hard-earned pay will end up in a foreigner’s house.

NLT: Strangers will consume your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor.

KJV: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;

NKJV: Lest aliens be filled with your wealth, And your labors go to the house of a foreigner;

A popular slogan in post-Christian culture is, "If it feels good, do it." However, the lack of morals leads to pain and suffering. This was hinted at earlier in this chapter, where a seductive person seems to offer something sweet and smooth, but instead brings poison and pain (Proverbs 5:3–4). The specific sin mentioned in this passage is that of adultery. However, the basic concept applies to any form of sin and its consequences.

Attitudes claiming everything is relative and every person must define right or wrong according to their own preferences are a path away from God (Isaiah 53:6). Solomon tells his sons that falling for temptation effectively puts one's life, and possessions, and reputation, in the hands of other people. The ungodly world often claims that rebellion against God means "being in control" of one's own life. The opposite, in fact, is true. Sin enslaves (John 8:34), and those who succumb to sin are handing themselves over to be abused (1 Corinthians 6:12).

The prodigal son left home with an inheritance (Luke 15:12–13), but he returned home with nothing except regret (Luke 15:18–19). He had lost all his wealth in a foreign country. Also, a pig farmer in that foreign country had drained the prodigal's strength by putting him the fields to slop hogs and go hungry (Luke 15:14–16). Fortunately, this prodigal found that his father was forgiving (Luke 15:20).

Instead of squandering our strength, we ought to dedicate it to God and serve him with a loving heart. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30).

Solomon approaches the subject of adultery by describing a prototype seducer: a smooth talker who leads the victim down a dangerous road. Sin promises pleasure, but it is ultimately brief and destructive consequences are long lasting. The destructive consequences include a loss of strength, respect, money, and longevity. The person who disregards godly counsel about adultery experiences ruin and disgrace. Faithfulness in marriage brings a person exuberance and joy. No sin, including adultery, is hidden from God. Sin ensnares the adulterer and shows that he is foolish, undisciplined, and far from the Lord.

This chapter continues the wise sayings Solomon addresses to his children and / or students. Solomon warns about the temptation to succumb to adultery. He points out the calamities of yielding to sexual sin, and of violating one's marriage. This warning is similar the one given in Proverbs 1:8–10. After cautioning about the risks of adultery, he cites the joys and advantages of monogamous marriage.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.